Ring found in Shropshire garden declared as treasure
A gold ring which was discovered in a garden in Shropshire and dates back more than 400 years has been declared as treasure by a coroner.
The ring, believed to be from the 15th or 16th century, was found in the High Ercall area, near Telford, last September.
The find was officially declared as treasure by Shropshire Coroner Mr John Ellery at an inquest in Wem yesterday. The exact location of the ring, which has not yet been valued, was not revealed at the hearing.
The inquest heard the ring features a lover's knot which was often given as gift between a couple.
The ring is 4.7mm high, 1.7mm thick, 18.6mm in diameter and weighs 1.89 grams.
Mr Ellery said: "It is a completed gold finger ring. It is a nice looking ring.
"The ring is hardly worn and has not been affected by movement or abrasion. This is consistent with a find made within garden soil.
"In plan the ring is circular whilst in cross section it is D shaped. The interior surface of the ring is well finished and a vertical scar can be seen where the ring has been formed."
He told the inquest the Shropshire County Museum service is interested in acquiring it.
Peter Reavill, a finds liaison officer who works with Shropshire Council, said: "I would say it dates back to the end of the medieval period or the beginning of the tudor period.
"It is known as a 'lover's ring'. It features a lover's knot which has no beginning or end.
"It is quite a plain ring with no diamonds or jewels, and is it not hugely decorated.
"It is in good condition and is a very good example of this type of ring. It has not been valued yet. It will go to a committee down in London who will value it."
He added he was not surprised by the find at High Ercall as the village features a medieval site.
Last month a ring dating back more than 1,500 years, which was found on land in south Shropshire using a metal detector, was also declared as treasure.
The ring, thought to date back to medieval times, was found on August 7 last year.
A hoard of English Civil War coins was also discovered in south Shropshire by a metal detector enthusiast in a farmer's field last summer.
