Potin Unit Life-Like Bull / Holman A1/2

Allen Type: A.

Chris Rudd (ABC) ‘Life-Like Bull’.

David Holman proposes a detailed classification in A New Classification System for the Flat Linear Potin Coinage. This type corresponds with his Group A (also Allen A).

Holman characterises Group A as the beginnings of true linear designs, with broader, flater, rough flans derived from the thick, dumpy Thurrock Potins. The head and bull are unlike the later series. The back of Apollo's head is often multiple concentric curved lines representing a helmet, but in a degenerating style. The bull is initially thick but degenerates into lines. Given the variability of the series, Holman suggests a degree of flexibility, where the features given are not taken to be exact. Weights range from 1.6 to 3.0g and the reverse orientation is usually 3h. There are two subgroups in Group A, of which this is the first (see also Holman A2):

Subgroup A1: Well-formed, prominent head without eye ring. Full-bodied bull of good style, head is often a double-pellet (sometimes open), with no reverse crescents.
A1/1: Part-linear, part-solid head left; concentric curved lines on the head representing a helmet.  Full-bodied bull left, exergual line below and tail above. The bull may have both or only one front and/or rear legs. (See ABC 141).
A1/2: Bull right.



Next in the chronological sequence is Holman A2. The previous type is Holman A1/1. The next group is Holman B.

Van Arsdell Classification: Cantian A, Prototype Period. Van Arsdell says “These were the first coins manufactured in Britain. The images were adapted directly from the cast bronzes of Masillia. At first, the images were produced using mother-coins. This technique was immediately changed to speed up production — the image was then scribed into the mould with a stylus.”

David Holman and Chris Rudd (ABC), on the other hand, consider these to be transitional coins between the Thurrock Potin and the Linear Bull types.

The illustrated coin is in the Portable Antiquities Scheme database (CC BY-SA 4.0).