A MEDIEVAL gold ring which was found at a Herefordshire farm has been classed as treasure.

The ring, which it is believed dates back to between the 12th and 14th centuries, was found by a metal detectorist at a farm west of Ledbury on June 28, 2020.

An inquest held at Hereford Town Hall on Monday decided that the ring should be classed as treasure.

To be reach that conclusion the inquest found that the ring was more than 300 years old and consisted of more than 10 per cent gold.

“I’m satisfied that this ring is from the period between the 12th and 14th century,” said Herefordshire Coroner Mark Bricknell.

“It is treasure and will be appropriately returned to the British museum.”

The ring was described as follows: “An incomplete medieval, gold gem-set finger ring.

“This has a large hollow rectangular bezel with an oval aperture (4.9mm by 2.2mm) and purple stone set within.

“Flanking the bezel are small flanges that are decorated with a ridged pattern of small parallel lines. The hoop has a D-shaped cross-section and is decorated at the shoulders with a series of engraved lines.

“In the centre of the shoulders is an oval mount for a stone, one is missing but the other still retains a hemispherical green stone. The remainder of the hoop is undecorated.”

The inquest heard that the ring was found at a farm owned by Robert Powell-Tuck.

Mr Powell-Tuck told the inquest that he had been contacted by Peter McCoy, who was granted permission to search the land who found the ring on June 28.

A statement from the Finds Liaison Office asked for the location of the find to be protected.

They said a reward would be made to the finder or landowner.