CELTIC. ‘Ring Money’. Circa 1150-750 BC. Gold Plated Bronze Penannular Ring (23x18x10mm, 22.53 g). VF.

CNG Feature Auction 133
Lot: 822. Estimated: $ 2 000

British, Coin-in-Hand Video, Gold

Sold For $ 2 500. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

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CELTIC. ‘Ring Money’. Circa 1150-750 BC. Gold Plated Bronze Penannular Ring (23x18x10mm, 22.53 g). Plain. Van Arsdell 1-3; ABC p. 202; SCBC p. 117; cf. Quiggin p. 279-81; Opitz p. 280. A few minor marks. VF. An impressively large and heavy example, with thick gold plating.

Prior to the use of regular round struck or cast coinage, the Celts employed items of various shapes and metals for trade. Although not conclusively identified as an early form of money, these rings have been found in coin hoards and do bear some resemblance to other Celtic objects accepted as “proto-money,” such as small bronze or potin wheels. R.D. Van Arsdell, in his book Celtic Coins in Britain, notes that precious-metal rings such as this “may have had multiple functions; as items of personal adornment (many were hair ornaments), as a means of displaying wealth, and as a medium of exchange. The weights and diameters vary, making it difficult to establish whether denominations existed.” The authors of ABC, on the other hand, regard these as jewelry and ornaments, albeit with some ceremonial wealth-storage value attached.

The final winners of all CNG Feature Auction 133 lots will be determined at the live online sale that will be held on 15-16 September 2026.

CNG Feature Auction 133 – Session Three – Lot 595-896 will be held Wednesday morning, 16 September 2026 beginning at 9:00 AM ET.

Winning bids are subject to a 22.5% buyer's fee for bids placed on this website and 25% for all others.

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