denarius

First half of 2nd Century BC

19.61 mm

Inv. no. S/n

BBVA Collection Spain



Since the 6th century BC, Iltirta, the earliest known name for the present-day city of Lleida, was inhabited by a people called the Ilergetes. This ancient Iberian people, which had occupied the Segre Valley since the 10th century BC, was one of the most powerful in the east of the peninsula. At first farmers and cattle-raisers, later on they also developed metallurgy and goldsmithing.
Influenced by their colonisers, around the 3rd century BC the Ilergetes incorporated coins into their system, a fact that favoured, among other things, trade with the Greek colony of Emporion (Ampurias).
The Ilergete currency imitated Greek coins. The coin in hand is a silver denarius from the BBVA Collection’s series of Iberian Coins. Coined in the first half of the 2nd century BC at the Iltirta mint, it is noteworthy for its classicist art.
Obverse: Beardless male head representing a god, facing right, wearing a necklace and with horizontal curly hair behind the ear. Around it, three dolphins. Dotted
.

 Reverse: Rider dressed with a chlamyis and a palm branch over his right shoulder. Line
. The legend—a curved Iberian inscription—can be seen below the horse namely:

ILTIRTASALIRBAN