NM·8

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Coin
Coin type
Coin type:	drachma (Arslan XIV)
Description:	obverse: right-facing female head, reverse: right-facing lion and legend
Material (main component):	bronze
Average diameter:	1.4 cm0.551 in <br />
Average thickness:	unknown
Average weight:	1.752 g0.00175 kg <br />0.00386 lb <br />
Workmanship:	chased
Archaeological culture:	unknown
Date:	130–110 BC
Date derived from:	unknown
Number of known pieces:	1
Area of circulation:	unknown
Mint / Main site:	unknown
Coordinates (approx.):	48° 55' 6.98" N, 11° 52' 20.01" E
Coin legend
Idealised transliteration:	natoris
Idealised original script:
Position:	top, back
Orientation:	0°
Direction of writing:	sinistroverse
Script:	North Italic script (Lepontic alphabet)
Letter height:	00 cm <br />0 in <br />
Number of letters:	7
Number of words:	1
Number of lines:	1
Inscription type:	minting authority
Language:	Celtic
Meaning:	'Natoris'
Alternative sigla:	none
Sources:	Arslan 2000: 232

Images

Bronze drachma with legend NM·8 from Arslan 2000

Commentary

First published in Overbeck 1987: 246.

Images in Overbeck 1987: Taf. 7.5 and 5a (photos), Arslan 2000: 232, no. 16 (photos).

The single specimen of the coin type was found in 1985 during excavations in the Celtic oppidum of Kelheim-Mitterfeld (Bavaria). Overbeck classified it as a Cisalpine imitation of a Massaliote drachma made from inferior, bronze-like metal. Dating according to Arslan 2000: 232, no. 16, who ascribes the coin type to the "Insubri di Mediolanum". See also Overbeck 2000: 68.

natoris can be analysed as a Celtic personal name in the nominative (see further on the word page), conceivably that of the moneyer or minting authority.

According to the Fundchronik for 1985 in the Beiheft 1 to the Bayerische Vorgeschichtsblätter 52 (1987), 132, the finds from the 1985 excavation were brought to the Archäologisches Museum (Kelheim), where the receipt of coin is indeed recorded, but the object could not be found in August 2020. According to a note found at the museum, the coin was removed by Overbeck for study in 1991 and – apparently – never returned. Arslan 2000: 232, no. 16 records the coin to be at the Staatliche Münzsammlung (München) – since his article includes different photos than Overbeck's, this statement seems reliable, but the coin is also not at Munich (according to Kay Ehling in March 2020). Overbeck having passed away in 2018, the whereabouts of the coin are now unknown.

Thanks to Kay Ehling, Bernd Sorcan and the team at the Museum Kelheim for the information and their search efforts!

Corinna Salomon

Bibliography

Arslan 2000	Ermanno A. Arslan, "La monetazione con legende leponzie e la monetazione preromana dell'area leponzia e insubre", in: Raffaele C. De Marinis, Simonetta Biaggio Simona (eds), I leponti tra mito e realtà. Raccolta di saggi in occasione della mostra Locarno, Castello Visconteo - Casorella, 20 maggio - 3 dicembre 2000, Verbania: Armando Dadò Editore 2000, 223–233.