Ring Money (Cleveland Museum of Art 1969.142)
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
c. 100–50 BCE
Used in the ancient world from c. 1600 BC, gold ring money was also in general use in Ireland around 100-50 BC. It was used in Britain as well but not to the same extent.
This piece was found at Norman Leighton, Warwickshire, almost the central county of England. As a means of exchange, gold was scarce in Britain until successive waves of invaders from the mainland, fleeing the expanding power of the Romans, brought with them degraded staters, an ancient gold coin of the Greeks. Cleveland Museum of Art object 1969.142: Ring Money, c. 100–50 BCE. England. Gold; diameter: 1.8 cm (11/16 in.).
Details are those of this museum object; how far it represents a wider type has not been independently verified.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 1
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Historical context
Ring money could be strung, allowing you to wear your wealth and easily carry it with you.
Physical characteristics
- Materials
- gold
- Dimensions
- Diameter: 1.8 cm (11/16 in.)
- Measurements
- Diameter: 1.8 cm (11/16 in.)
- Material and technique
- gold
Identification
- Date recorded
- c. 100–50 BCE
- Culture period
- England
- Holding institution
- Cleveland Museum of Art
- Museum object number
- 1969.142
- Published references
- Cleveland Museum of Art, and Emery May Norweb. English Gold Coins, Ancient to Modern Times, On Loan to the Cleveland Museum of Art from the Norweb Collection. 1968. p. 1
- Museum classification
- Coins
Documentation checklist
- Denomination
- Research required
- Issue or mint date
- Recorded
- Material
- Recorded
- Weight
- Research required
- Mint or printer
- Research required
- Mint or printer mark
- Research required
- Catalogue reference
- Research required
- Attached photograph (check rights)
- Recorded
Recorded means a field is present, not independently verified. Read its wording, supporting source and the entry’s confidence level.
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.
Research required
- Research required: this record describes a single museum object; confirm the wider coin type and standard catalogue references (e.g. SNG, RPC, RIC) against numismatic literature.