Posted on 04/18/2008 6:14:59 AM PDT by BGHater
A 10th century finger ring, which was found by a man using a metal detector in a field at Kirk Deighton, near Wetherby, may go on permanent display in a museum in Yorkshire.
Experts at the British Museum say the ring is 65 per cent gold, 33 per cent silver and two per cent copper with a weathered glass stone.
The ring, which was formerly declared to be treasure yesterday at an inquest in Harrogate, was discovered only a few inches below the surface in an arable field by Colin Ashton, of Ilkley.
Mr Ashton told the Coroner for the Western District of North Yorkshire, Geoff Fell, that at first he was not sure whether the ring was real or was costume jewellery.
He said: "I was aware of my obligations under the Treasure Act so I knew I had to find out whether it was precious metal or not.
He took it to a jeweller in Ilkley who confirmed it was gold.
After consulting a local museum, Mr Ashton took the ring to the Finds Liaison Officer at the Yorkshire Museum in York who delivered it to the British Museum and informed the coroner.
Mr Fell said: "It is quite an impressive ring bearing in mind it is over 1,000-years-old."
The ring, which is similar to one found on the Scottish island of Iona and another at Hitchin in Hertfordshire, will now be valued by independent experts on a Treasure Valuation Committee. The British Museum has said that a local museum is interested in exhibiting it.
Treasure The 10th century finger ring found at Kirk Deighton.
I understand that Helen Thomas has filed a petition to get her ring back.
I suppose the finder gets nothing in return. Not exactly an incentive to go “treasure” hunting.
Ooooh! My Precious!
ping.
After seeing Lord of the Rings, I’d be suspicious of anybody bringing me any ancient rings. . .
> I suppose the finder gets nothing in return. Not exactly an incentive to go “treasure” hunting.
I believe they receive a fair price for their treasure from the Crown. A very sensible arrangement if you ask me: the British learned all about predation of antiquities by practising it on others for a couple of centuries of Empire. ‘Tis only sensible that they learn from that and apply it on the home front.
If I recall correctly, it is evaluated and the finder is paid in full.
That’s nice.
In the US they get money
I hadn’t thought of Ilkley in a very, very long time!
“Ilkley Moor Bar t’At
Where hast tha’ been since I saw thee?
(I saw thee)
On Ilkley Moor bar t’at,
Where hast tha’ been since I saw thee?
(Hast thou been since I saw)
Where hast tha’ been since I saw thee?
On Ilkley Moor bar t’at,
On Ilkley Moor bar t’at,
On Ilkley Moor bar t’at.
Tha’s been a-coortin’ Mary Jane,
(Mary Jane,)
On Ilkley Moor bar t’at,
Tha’s been a-coortin’ Mary Jane,
(been a-coortin’ Mary)
Tha’s been a-coortin’ Mary Jane,”
I predict it will bring nothing but trouble for the owner...
He'll be fairly compensated for the ring under the Treasuries Act/Law.
I doubt it. This probably should be "formally".
Good One!!!!
BAD English grammar!.........
Well, thanks to the Treasure Act, it’s owner is Great Britain generally. And indeed there is trouble there, Muslims-only swimming times at public pools, etc...
Might have meant “formally” declared...
I suppose the Spanish government will claim a cut.......
Hate to sound dishonest here, but why do people turn those finds into the governments, especially if a person finds said objects on his/her own property?
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