Celtic gold 'Rainbow Cup' unearthed near Leipzig

Weighing a mere two grams and half the size of a modern penny, the 2,200 yo coin is almost pure gold (about 99%). It features a stylized animal head, likely that of a stag. The reverse depicts a torc, with thickened ends, surrounding a five-pointed rounded star and a small sphere. It is classified as a Celtic quarter stater, dated to the 3rd century BCE, and was likely minted in northern Bohemia, one of the main Celtic centers at that time.

In Celtic culture, torcs symbolized nobility, divine power, and protection. Their presence on coins indicates that they served not only an economic but also a social and ritual purpose.

Saxony lay beyond the main Celtic settlement zones. The find offers clear evidence of contact and exchange between locals and the Celts. The coin is in perfect, nearly mint condition and thus likely never circulated as currency. Gold quarter staters were produced only briefly before being replaced by larger 1/3 staters, reflecting changes in Celtic trade, especially with regions rich in amber.