Silver drachm, c.2nd century BC, Celtic tribes of Southern Gaul

Description

Sylized head of nymph right / Scorpion-like lion standing right; barbarous 'legend' above. 15mm, 2.69 grams. CCCBM II 9; KMW 125; de la Tour 2126.
With some ancient graffiti on both sides.
The city of Massalia (modern Marseille in Southern France) was settled by Ionians from Phocaea around 600 BC. The mint Greek-style coins featuring a nymph on the obverse and a walking lion and the name of the city on the reverse. Local Celtic people copied the design of the Greek Massalian coins, "Celticizing" the style. These Celtic coins are variously attributed to the local Celtic tribes of the Insubres, Cenomani, or Salluvii, though the exact attribution seems not to be possible at this type.