Celtic Northeast Gaul, the Catuslogi
Viricius. Circa 50-30 BCE
AE 17mm 3.47g
Obv: Celtic right-facing head with slightly wavy hair; pellet in circle before.
Rev: VIRICI, galloping horse to the left; a pearl-studded M sign below.
LT 8554
The Catuslogi, whose name means “Troops of Combat” were centered around modern day Incheville, Normandy. However, at the time this coin was minted, their capital was at Briga, where some ruins today may be visited. Part of their religious rituals was the tossing of weapons, jewelry, and coins in a specific spot in Briga.
There is some speculation on the name ‘Virici’ on these coins. It’s generally believed to refer to a person, but we have no idea who he was. He may have been a magistrate or a leader. He is not attested to in the surviving sources. The tribe itself was not mentioned by Caesar, but it was by Pliny.