Aes Premonetale. AE sheepskin-shaped (?) Cast Ingot, decorated with geometric pattern and uncertain letters (?). Central Italy, 6th-4th century BC. AE. g. 99.60 RRR. mm. 58x30x10. Untouched earthen green patina. Good VF. A very rare and interesting pre-monetary item, apparently unpublished.
For bronze objects found with aes rude and early bars, see ICC p.83 ff. and A. M. Murgan, “Heavy metal in hallowed contexts. Continuity and change in aes deposits in Central Italy and Sicily” in “Embodying Value? The Transformation of Objects in and from the Ancient World”, BAR International Series 2592, 2014. Provenance: Ex Artemide L, 2018, lot 99 (sold for hammer € 550, but not paid).