Ave!

Celtic Proto Ring Money, Pendent, c. 700-400 BC

Cast Lead; 21mm/5.1gm

Con/ Holed in antiquity, otherwise, As Cast; unblemished oxidized dark brown lead patina

Description/ See the photo!

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 ring money would certainly have been attached to a thong and worn as necklace pendent.  Ground found in a Celtic settlement south of the River Drava, this is the only such ring money we have ever seen, nor are aware of, that has been cast in lead. Rare!