Metal detecting enthusiast Patricia Richmond finds 700-year-old gold ring in farmer’s field.
A metal detectoris unearthed a 700-year-old gold ring during an early morning hunt in a farmer’s field in Houghton Green. Patricia Richmond found the medieval ring during a hunt in land near Peel Hall Farm in October.
A treasure trove inquest at Warrington Coroner’s Court concluded that the ring probably dated back to the 14th century.
The 59-year-old and her metal detecting partner Stuart Bibby arrived at the farmer’s field at around 6am on October 20 and after less than an hour Ms Richmond had made the astonishing find.
After Ms Richmond unearthed the ring it was sent to Stuart Noon, finds liaison officer at the Museum of Lancashire, who estimated that the ring dated back to between 1,300-1,400AD.
Its primary material is gold with an inset oval stone that could potentially be a sapphire.
The ring, which measures 15x20mm and weighs 3.26g, has seven convex settings in its bezel to hold the stone and a decorated flower inscribed into an integral square plate on either side of the hoop.
No makers mark was discovered on the ring.
The inquest was held to determine whether the item should be classified as treasure.
the assistant coroner for Cheshire Alan Moore concluded that the ring represented treasure as it was more than 300 years old and had a precious metal content exceeding 10 per cent.
As yet it is unknown what will happen next to the ring, but Warrington Museum has expressed an interest in housing it.
Read more: http://www.warringtonguardian.co.uk/