The fact of this immense number of gold ornaments being hidden in a cist in this way has given rise to many conjectures; but in the absence of any other explanation, it may be suggested that the objects had been collected together, and hidden purposely, with the idea of returning and regaining possession of them later. The value of the find has been estimated at at least L3,000. Unfortunately, most of the objects were sold to jewellers and melted down, but a large number were exhibited at the Archaeological Institute by Dr. Todd and Lord Talbot de Malahide in 1854, and casts of these were taken, and a set is now in the National Collection. There are also a small number of the originals in the Royal Irish Academy's collection (Plate IV). Otherwise such objects of the find as escaped the melting-pot were scattered, and have found their way into different museums and private collections. As has been mentioned, the objects of this find did not show any remarkable types, and for the most part consisted of very thin bracelets and penannular rings with cup-shaped ends. It is probable that, as well as being ornaments, they served as a kind of currency. [Illustration: PLATE IV. Portion of the great Clare find. _p. 66._] PENANNULAR RINGS AND RING-MONEY [Illustration: Fig. 62.--Gold fibulae, and other objects found together at Coachford, Co. Cork.] [Illustration: Fig. 63.--Sixteenth-century bronze casting from Benin, showing Europeans holding manillas (after Read and Dalton, _Antiquities of the City of Benin_).]