SOUTHERN GAUL. Allobroges. Mid to late 2nd century BC. Drachm (Silver, 16 mm, 2.51 g, 3 h). Laureate male head to right. Rev. IALIKOVESI (in Lepontic) Horse's head to right. DT 3046. Scheers 45. Areas of weakness, otherwise, very fine.



Lepontic was a Celtic dialect spoken in parts of Raetia and Cisalpine Gaul, mostly around the Lago Maggiore, Lago di Lugano and Lago di Como. It is attested on coins and in a number of inscriptions written in the 'alphabet of Lugano', a local script derived from the Etruscan alphabet, the most commonly used alphabet in pre-Roman Northern Italy.