As by inspection we see that the smallest rings weigh 13 and 14 grs. Troy, and the next three 29, 31, 32 respectively, which look like the double of the smaller, I shall group the rings according as they approximate to the multiples of 15.
-+-++-+-+
Multiples| Actual Ring Weights | Multiples| Actual | Rings | Weights
of 15 | (Royal Irish Acad.) | of 15 | | |
-+-++-+-+
15 | 13, 14 | 180 | 179 | 345 |
30 | 29, 31, 32, 36 | 195 | 199, 203| 360 |
45 | 40, 46 | 210 | 206, 209| 375 | 372
60 | 54, 56, 58, 59, 61, 65, 65 | 225 | 220 | 370 |
75 | 69, 73 | 240 | 247 | |
90 | 84, 84, 88, 96 | 255 | 259 | |
105 | 98, 104, 111 | 270 | | |
120 | 121, 124 | 285 |*283, 283 | |
135 | | 300 | | |
150 | 144, 144, 147, 147, 150, 151 | 315 | 322 | |
165 | 171,172 | 330 | 332 | |
A glance at the foregoing table shows that the most numerous group of rings occurs at the fourfold (60), no less than seven specimens ranging themselves at that point, next we find six specimens at the tenfold (150), whilst next in order comes the sixfold with four examples. There are three cases of the double (30). On the other hand it is worth noticing the absence of the ninefold, whilst there are three instances of the sevenfold, and the absence of the eighteenfold (2 x 9) likewise, whilst we have the elevenfold, twelvefold, thirteenfold, fourteenfold. However from the absence of the twentyfold (2 x 10) we cannot lay great stress on this. The heaviest specimen (372) closely approximates to the twenty-five fold (375).
I add the weights of the ancient Irish gold rings preserved in the British Museum.
Irish small plain ring money. Some are without localities but may be assumed to be Irish. Marked thus *.
- 103, 563, *389, *121, *29-1/2, 218, 224, 323, 295 injured, 218, 122, 90,
28, 56, 215 copper plated with gold (injured), 299, 148, 98, 366, 89 piece
