Spilsby Stag. Rich Type 12a. c.55-45 BC. Silver unit. 13-15mm. 0.90g. Boar right, short-spiky bristles on back, upturned snout, above: ringed-pellet and beaded ring containing double ringed-pellet./ Stag left, large beaded ring above with ringed-pellet in centre, ring containing two pellets in front and below. ABC−, VA−, BMC 3203, S−. CCI 18.1117 (this coin). EF, as struck in bright silver, beautifully centred showing full bristly boar and stag. A superb example. Ex John Follows collection. Found near Sleaford, Lincs. EXTREMELY RARE type, only 15 others recorded, including one in the British Museum and four which are badly chipped.

In the Celtic world stags represent virility, fertility, the abundance of the forest, speed and prestige. The Celtic god most closely associated with stags is Cernunnos ‘the horned one’ who wears antlers on his head (see lot 15). The Heckington Stag bronze figurine, 87mm, was found near Kirkby la Thorpe, Lincs., just over 20 miles from Spilsby where the first Spilsby Stag was found. Follows’ splendid Spilsby Stag is an exceptionally excellent specimen, clearly showing all eight tines of the antlers, every hair of the stag’s shaggy tail and a moustachioed shouting face when you turn it upside down. Not in ABC, VA nor Spink.