ABC 2715 -

Andoco Phallic Bucranium. Sills class 1, dies 1/4. c.20-1 BC. Gold stater. 18mm. 5.43g. Crossed wreath motif with back-to-back crescents and four ringed-pellets in centre concealing stylised hidden faces./ Full-bodied horse galloping right, with pin-cushion mane, phallic bucranium, ring and anemone above, pellet under tail, AND below. ABC 2715, VA 1860, BMC 2012-14, DK 513, S 262. CCI 73.0323 (this coin).  Published in Divided Kingdoms p.605 (this coin).

Ex John Follows collection, bt. privately from Michael McAndrew, ex Dolphin Coins FPL 10, 1996, no.21, ex Strauss collection (Sotheby’s, 26 May 1994, lot 40), ex Richard Cyril Lockett FSA JP (1873-1950) collection (Glendining’s, 6 June 1955, lot 33), ex Henry William Thorburn (1846-1918) collection (Sotheby’s, 27 November 1918, lot 3), ex Hyman Moses Montagu (1844-1895) collection, ex S.Addington collection. Rare.  Images:  © Chris Rudd Ltd, www.celticcoins.com

In his mainly made-up History of the Kings of Britain Geoffrey of Monmouth (c.1100-54) describes Androgeus (Andoco?) and Tenvantius (Tasciovanos?) as ‘the two nephews of Cassivellaunos.’ This is a plausible possibility which their coins don’t deny. Addedomaros, perhaps a younger brother of Cassivellaunos, could well have sired both Tasciovanos and Andoco. If this was the case, we guess that Andoco was the junior.