MATERIAL: Possibly/probably silver silver (not tested). AGE: Circa 200 BC - 300AD SIZE: 20mm diameter approx. Weight: 11 grams DESCRIPTION: An outstanding example of Celtic money, rectangular hole added in antiquity heavy at 11 grams. Hessian cord for use as a pendant if required. CONDITION: Excellent ancient condition, professionally cleaned and conserved. Historic wear and use marks,. FREE UK DELIVERY Come with a gift bag, and information sheet. All items come with a 10 day refund guarantee.
While they many not look like money, these bronze/silver/gold rings were used as currency (not coinage, but traded by weight) by Celtic tribes and were worn on clothing or tied together with on a cord. Hand-made by Celtic craftsmen over 2,000 years ago, and often referred to as “ring-money,” this type of Celtic artifact is becoming rare.
Origins
Frankly, nobody really knows where they came from. (Sorry!) Some historians claim that there were Celts in Britain about 1150 B.C., while others argue that it was earlier. However, it is generally accepted that the Celts started to migrate from Central Europe in 400 B.C.
They spread in all directions, that is, until they came face to face with the Romans. The problem was that their Roman neighbours were a single, unified empire, while the Celts were made up of dozens of tribes, who fought against each other as often as they joined together to fight the Romans.
Eventually, some of these tribes were completely wiped out, some agreed to be ruled by the Romans, while others were driven to the far corners of the known world such as Ireland, Scotland, England and Wales. Some of these travelling Celts even ended up way as far away as Egypt and Greece.
