Ave!
Celtic Proto Bell Money, c. 700-400 BC
Copper alloy; 17mm/4.8gm
Con/ As Cast; unblemished pale green patina, cleaned and waxed
Seller's Note/ Such 'proto money' was used as a trading commodity (currency) before the introduction of struck coins in the Eastern Danube region and the Black sea area by the Celtic tribes and were marketed by their weight. The most common types were simple round rings, while others had a few knobs or lugs that were worn as beads or jewelry in one manner or another.
This bell-shaped money was cast with hole at the top (not seen in the photo) to allow it to have been attached to a thong and worn as either a necklace pendent or one of many on a bracelet. Extremely Rare, this was ground found in a Celtic settlement south of the River Drava.