OS08. Currency Bars and other forms of trade iron

About 1500 currency bars and other forms of trade iron have been found in Britain, including two doublepointed ingots of continental type. Detailed examination of most of the 400 surviving bars has shown that there are at least 20 distinctive types, which can be distinguished by their dimensions, the shape of the socket and, sometimes, by the welding of the tips. A new class of trade iron has been recognised, consisting of billets with one end forged either to a hook-shape or to a long point.