Medieval gold ring declared treasure

[Kev]

A METAL detecting enthusiast unearthed a 14th century gold ring studded with a ruby and an emerald, an inquest heard.

Metal finishing plant worker Paul McEvoy, 44, found the medieval finger ring just six inches beneath the soil surface in a field in Thurcroft, Rotherham....................
Mr McEvoy, from Dinnington, told the Rotherham hearing: “I thought I had dug up a squash bottle top but it turned out to be a ring.”

He said he had been metal detecting for an hour and until then had only found modern spoons, nails and a buckle.

The find, made in July, 2009, was verified by Beverley Nenk from the British Museum.

Landowners Judith and Hedley Leaning were at the inquest and said the land which had been left fallow after growing wheat was farmed by Richard Crowe from Tickhill.

It is not yet known how valuable the ring is or where it will end up.

Assistant deputy coroner Jonathan Godfrey declared the ring treasure trove under the Treasure Act.

He said: “I am satisfied that the item that was found by Mr McEvoy was a gold finger ring with two stones, one green and one red. Having regard to its age and that it is gold it is treasure.”

The ring is being held by Retford Museum.