{{Short description|Metal alloy}} {{distinguish|Poitín|Poitín (film)|Poutine}} {{multiple image | align = right | image1 = Monnaie - Potin, fonds celtique, Rèmes - btv1b112903134 (1 of 2).jpg | width1 = | alt1 = | caption1 = | image2 = Monnaie - Potin, fonds celtique, Rèmes - btv1b112903134 (2 of 2).jpg | width2 = | alt2 = | caption2 = |footer=Potin of the Remi, a Gallo-Belgic people: crosslegged figure holding a torc on the obverse, with a boar, a serpent, and two stars on the reverse}}
In numismatics, '''potin''' is a base metal alloy used in coins. It is typically a mixture of copper, tin and lead (in varying proportions) and does not typically contain significant precious metals. Potin is usually used in reference to Celtic<ref name="Brief">{{cite web |last=Breitsprecher |first=Marc |url=https://mrbcoins.com/introtopotinsofgaul.html |title=A Brief Introduction to Celtic Potins of Gaul|accessdate=2023-11-07 }}</ref><ref name=numiswiki>{{cite web|title=Numiswiki - Potin| work=Forum Ancient Coins |url=http://www.forumancientcoins.com/numiswiki/view.asp?key=potin|publisher=Numiswiki|accessdate=23 November 2012}}</ref> and Ancient Indian coinage.
==In Celtic coinage== thumb|right|Iron Age class I potin ('Thurrock' type), {{circa|100 BC}} In 1890, so-called ''Potin lumps'' were found, of which the largest weighs {{convert|59.2|kg|lb|0}}, at the Prehistoric pile dwelling settlement ''Alpenquai'' in Zürich (''Vicus Turicum'') in Switzerland. The pieces consist of a large number of fused Celtic coins, which are mixed with charcoal remnants. Some of the about 18,000 coins originate from the ''Eastern Gaul'', and others are of the ''Zürich'' type, that were assigned to the local ''Helvetii'', which date to around 100 BC. The find is so far unique, and the scientific research assumes that the melting down of the lump was not completed, therefore the aim was to form cult offerings. The site of the find was at that time at least {{convert|50|m|ft|0}} from the lake shore, and probably {{convert|1|m|ft|0}} to {{convert|3|m|ft|0}} deep in the water.<ref name="potinklumpen">''Keltisches Geld in Zürich: Der spektakuläre «Potinklumpen»''. Amt für Städtebau der Stadt Zürich, Stadtarchäologie, Zürich October 2007.</ref><ref name="michaelnick">{{cite web|url=http://ca.www.mcu.es/museos/docs/MC/ActasNumis/75_kilogrammes_of_Celtic.pdf|title=75 kilogrammes of Celtic small coin - Recent research on the "Potinklumpen" from Zürich|publisher=Ministerio de Educación, Cultura y Deporte, España|author=Michael Nick|language=|date=|accessdate=2014-12-12}}</ref>
Kentish cast bronzes (historically referred to as Thurrock potins) appear to have been the first coins made in Britain dating from the end of the second century BC.<ref name=jersey20 /><ref name=Cunliffe133>{{cite book |last=Cunliffe |first=Barry |date= 2005|title=Iron Age Communities in Britain: An Account of England, Scotland and Wales from the Seventh Century BC until the Roman Conquest |edition=4th|publisher=Routledge |page=133 |isbn=9780415562928}}</ref> They appear to have circulated mainly in Kent and were based on coins issued by Massalia (now Marseille).<ref name=jersey20>{{cite book |last=De Jersey |first=Philip |date=1996 |title=Celtic Coinage in Britain |publisher=Shire Publications |page=20 |isbn=0-7478-0325-0}}</ref>
==See also== * Billon (alloy) * Coinage metals * Tin coinage
==References== {{reflist}}
Category:Precious metal alloys Category:Numismatic terminology Category:Coinage metals and alloys
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