BBC: Medieval ring found by detectorist could make £18k

[HistoryTeacher]

A rare Medieval bishop's ring found by a retired firefighter in a Norfolk field is expected to fetch up to £18,000 at auction.

The gold ring, which has a central hexagonal cabochon sapphire with two emeralds and two garnets, was uncovered by detectorist Mark Sell, 63, in King Row, Shipdham, in 2019.

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ckgzm3857emo

 

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[The Rebel]

Amazing find. I'm sure the owner was very upset to lose that beauty.

 

[ToddsPoint]

I wonder why this wasn’t declared treasure and purchased by the Gov? Seems like treasure to me?

 

[pepperj]

I wonder why this wasn’t declared treasure and purchased by the Gov? Seems like treasure to me?

The article stated that it was displayed at the British Museum.
So it was declared as a treasure, the ring went through all the recording, valuation.

The Museum didn't want to purchase it, or didn't have the funds (usually the Museum in the area of the recoveries will fund raise the money) so the ring ws returned.

 

[Red-Coat]

I wonder why this wasn’t declared treasure and purchased by the Gov? Seems like treasure to me?

The article stated that it was displayed at the British Museum.
So it was declared as a treasure, the ring went through all the recording, valuation.

The Museum didn't want to purchase it, or didn't have the funds (usually the Museum in the area of the recoveries will fund raise the money) so the ring ws returned.

Yes, that's right.

"Objects that have been found to be treasure may be transferred by the Crown to museums. Finders and landowners are eligible to receive a reward, paid by the acquiring museum. The amount of any reward (up to the object’s market value) and to whom it should be paid is determined by the Secretary of State. The Secretary of State receives advice from an independent committee, the Treasure Valuation Committee, for this purpose. If a museum does not wish to acquire a find [or cannot afford to do so], the Secretary of State can disclaim it and it is returned to the finder with the landowner’s consent."

This ring was duly recorded in the PAS database at the link below and determined as “treasure” at inquest, but subsequently disclaimed under ref: 2020-T190.

Record ID: NMS-D5C69C - MEDIEVAL finger ring

Typically, around half of the finds determined as treasure are disclaimed by the Secretary of State each year.

 

[Crow]

The UK has brilliant system of treasure trove, that is fair for all involved. Beautiful ring makes one wonder the love story behind the ring or a forced betrothal? If it could only talk and tell us its story.


Crow