Gold ring found in Swansea field declared treasure

[Neil]

A 17th Century gold ring found by a metal-detecting enthusiast has been declared treasure.

Ron Pitman, 71, stands to earn a "finders fee" for the discovery at Pennard, Swansea, in October 2010.

It bares the inscription "prepared bee to follow me," is 81% gold and 9% silver and dates back around 300 years.

The ring was found 13cm (5in) below the surface of a field used to grow maize that had since been ploughed and rolled, Swansea Coroners Court heard.

In a report to the hearing, Dr Mark Redknapp, acting keeper of archaeology and numismatics at the National Museum and Gallery in Cardiff, said: "Such rings can be difficult to date but the decoration and sentiments in this case suggests a 17th rather than 18th Century date."

[outlaw]

Thats a fabulas find the guy must be well chuffed.

[probono]

That's a nice find

[celticspikey]

Please Santa can I have one in the new year I've been waiting for years and years it's a lovely find.

[nonker10]

very very nice

[BugbrookeBen]

excellent

[alun]

Classic, well done excellent find.