Celtic Gaul. Treveri.
50-30 BCE
AE 16.51mm 3.23g
Obverse: Elephant walking right, trampling on horned serpent
Reverse: Simpulum, sprinkler, axe (surmounted by a wolf’s head), and apex (priest’s hat)
De la Tour 9235, RPC I 501
Titelberg was the capital of the Treveri people in the 1st century BCE and from archeological evidence was occupied from roughly 300 BCE to 400 CE. It is the largest ancient settlement known in Luxembourg today.
This particular coin was minted by Aulus Hirtius and mimics the famous elephant denarii of Julius Caesar. He was an ally of Julius Caesar and was heavily involved after his murder. During this time, he was elected consul. After being convinced by Cicero to oppose Mark Antony, he was killed at the Battle of Mutina against Antony.