Cleveland Museum of Art

Ring Money

Date

c. 100–50 BCE

Medium

gold

Culture

England

Department

Medieval Art

Institution

Cleveland Museum of Art

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. Ring money could be strung, allowing you to wear your wealth and easily carry it with you.

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