am disposed to controvert the supposition, that these rings may have served as currency. It is highly probable that, in primitive times, when barter afforded to traffic the sole approach towards facilities subsequently obtained by a circulating medium, such rings passed as money. It has been confidently stated that an uniform rule of progressive weight may be established, by the comparison of rings of various sizes; and, if so curious a fact can be shown in regard to these rings, it would certainly go far towards confirming the notion of their pecuniary value.
By the friendly aid of an obliging correspondent, the Rev. Charles Bingham, of Bingham’s Melcumbe, Dorset, I am enabled to state, that gold ornaments, similar to the Irish “ring-money,” have been recently discovered in that county. I owe to his kindness the annexed representation of a small gold ring, in the possession of Mr. Charles Hall, of Ansty, near Blandford, (No. 4.) It was found at Abbey Milton, Dorset, in a potato-field. The weight is 4 dwts. 8 grs. This weight, (104 grs.) is not divisible, according to the rule received in regard to similar Irish rings, by six. A second gold ring of this type, found also near Blandford, is in the collection of Mr. Charles Warne. This, as I am informed, was found by a person cutting turf upon Piddletown Heath, Dorset. Two small beads were discovered near it. It is a very singular fact that plain gold rings, of precisely similar form, the extremities not being united, pass current as money at the present day in some parts of Africa. Sir William Betham and other antiquaries have regarded this as a strong argument in favour of the supposed Irish “ring-money.”[1] I am indebted to the Duke of Northumberland for the opportunity of examining specimens of African gold money, especially interesting as having been made under his own inspection at Sennaar. His Grace favoured me with the following particulars: he chanced to notice a blacksmith occupied in forming these rings, and inquiring as to their use, the man replied, that having no work in hand for his forge, he was making money. The gold wire, being very flexible, was bent into rings, without precise conformity in regard to weight, and was thus converted into money. One of these rings is
- ↑ See Trans. of R. I. Acad., vol. xvii., p. 91; and Sir William Betham’s Etruria Celtica; Mr. Lindsay’s View of the Coin-age of Ireland; and Mr. Dickinson on African Ring Money, Numism. Chron., Jan. 1844.
