File:British Coin 5b.jpg

English: A depiction of the obverse of a gold coin—probably from the Veneti of Gallic Britanny—from the figures decorating the margins of Moll's map of Gloucestershire, sold separately and as Map 14 in his Set of Fifty New and Correct Maps of England and Wales...

The illustration derives from figure 1 of Tabula II Nummi Britannici on Page 88 of William Camden's Britannia, Vol. I. Its note states "That the first was of some British prince in esteem for an holy man, I collect from the pearls about his head, set in the ancient form of a glory: as also by the hand under the horse for the reverse. Many of these British coins are adorned with pearls. I conceive the reason to be, the plenty of them in this country; so great, that Julius Caesar is said to have undertaken his expedition for obtaining them, and that at his return he dedicated a shield covered with British pearl, in the temple of Venus. In some coins of Constantine the Great, of Arcadius, Eudoxia, and others, is an hand signifying some favourable action of providence towards them: as reaching to take Constantine into heaven: crowning Arcadius, &c. In this it may intimate the sustaining of his cavalry. This is only conjecture; since we know not the person." The Veneti coins with this pattern of pearls end in smaller severed heads.

Notes: London: Sold by H. Moll over-against Devereux-Court in the Strand; Tho. Bowles, Print and Map-Seller near the Chapter-House in St. Paul's Church-Yard, and J. Bowles Print and Map-Seller over-against Stocks-Market. 1724.