I have a collection of what is described as Celtic bronze “Ring money “ some look like they could be silver would like the forums thought as I was left these items by a good friend and wanted to know more about them.
Certainly looks like Celtic Ring money.. very cool Unfortunately I don't know much about this, however, you should re-post in the ancients section and you'll likely get an answer.
Moved this to Ancient Coins for you. (Coin Chat was fine, but you're more likely to get answers in Ancients, in this particular case.)
Those look really cool! I don't know much about Celtic ring money, but from what I've heard there is often speculation if it should really be considered money. I'm not sure how anyone can determine whether many of these items are even Celtic. I believe there is a high probability that they are often just the remains of another item. I.e. part of some clothing where the leather or cloth has rotten away leaving just the metal ring. That bottom left one would seem to fit this quite well as there seems to be a lot more to it than just a ring. Post-Celtic people certainly manufactured similar metal rings for various purposes, so who knows what they really are and what time period they come from. In ancient times (I'm generalizing a bit here) metals like bronze would have had a significant innate value, so these items may very well have been traded as 'money' regardless as to their original purpose. I imagine having the context of where they were found would be crucial in really understanding what they are. I'm sure someone who knows more on the subject than me can shed some light on what exactly you have there, they look interesting!
I posted this in @Brubaker54 's other thread, but agree with you, @Aaron Apfel : Celtic Bronze Ring Probably a Horse Harness Ring, or other clothing, utility, etc.. However, during this time Bronze, Brass, Copper were traded as store of wealth, or form of money. Celtic AE Ring 800-500 BCE
I too always wondered how people know it was money versus some utilitarian bronze rings for whatever purpose. Maybe that's why it's usually pretty inexpensive. That piece at lower left in the OP certainly looks to have been utilitarian (maybe in jewelry or clothing?), but it does look properly ancient.
