Celtic gold coin depicting the Greek god Apollo on the front (left) and a chariot of horses on the back (right)Photo: Nicole Gebhard/© Archaeology Baselland
Posted on 01/05/2026 9:49:46 PM PST by SunkenCiv
Live Science reports that two 2,300-year-old gold coins have been recovered from the Bärenfels bog in northern Switzerland by a pair of volunteers working with the local archaeology department, Archaeology Baselland. These Celtic coins imitated Greek gold staters minted during the reign of Philip II of Macedon (reigned 360–336 B.C.), and feature an image of the Greek god Apollo on one side and a two-horse chariot on the other. The Celts added a triple spiral known as a triskele, or triskelion, beneath the horses on the smaller coin's reverse. These gold coins, and the 34 silver coins that had previously been found in the area, may have been placed in the bog by the Celts as an offering. To read about the largest known Celtic coin hoard, go to "Hidden in a Coin Hoard."
(Excerpt) Read more at archaeology.org ...
Celtic gold coin depicting the Greek god Apollo on the front (left) and a chariot of horses on the back (right)Photo: Nicole Gebhard/© Archaeology Baselland
Two Celtic gold coins (front and back views)Photo: Nicole Gebhard/© Archaeology Baselland
By golly, lots of people were called Celts. And they really got around.
The Celts originated in what is now Austria, and yes, they did get around.
One must remember that the population in those places in the years before Caesar, was miniscule.
The population of the UK in the 18th century was like 4 million I think.
The population of the world in 1 BC. was 100 million.
The population of the world in 500 BC. was 50 million!
What amazes me is the Cyrus the Great of the Achaemenid Persian empire ruled over about 23 to 24 million people in an empire stretching from India to Greece and Egypt. That is, he ruled over nearly half of humanity. He truly earned the title of Shahenshah king of kings
Fascinating history. Thanks for posting.
How exciting to go on an archeological dig and find three ancient gold coins!
So 2,300 years ago, Celts were using Swiss banks?
Gold, the UNIVERSAL coin of the realm.................
Gold, just another commodity to be traded or hoarded.
Did you earn all that gold by yourself?
No, my sister hoarded half of it...............
The golden coin itself representing the Sun providing the canvas/background for Apollo’s daily chariot journey across the sky = brilliant.
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