A RING dating back to the medieval times has been discovered on a Herefordshire farm and classed as treasure.

The ring, which is believed to date back to between the 12th and 15th centuries, was found by a metal detectorist on a farm near Wigmore.

Herefordshire coroner Mark Bricknell said that the ring was gold and featured a cut blue sapphire stone.

The treasure was found by Gary Scotford on September 16, 2020, and was officially declared treasure at an inquest held at Hereford Town Hall on August 16, 2023.

In a 2020 report, Dr Ian Bass, finds liaison officer for Herefordshire, described it as “A complete medieval cast gold and gem-set finger ring dating to the 12th to 15th centuries, circa 1150 to 1400”.

He added: “The hoop of the ring is D-shaped in cross-section and widens sharply to form a triangular solid bezel which is trapezoidal in profile.

“The bezel is set with a sub-rectangular cabochon-cut light blue gemstone, likely sapphire, and bevelled to hold it in place.

“Gold and gem-set rings are a well-known medieval ring type, with numerous good examples recorded and reported as treasure. Such examples include pewter and copper finger rings.”

The ring measures 26.02 millimetres in length from the top of the bezel to the back of the hoop, and 21.27mm in diameter. It weighs 3.17 grams.

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The inquest heard how Mr Scotford came across the gold finger ring while metal detecting on Patricia Parry’s farmland, and it was confirmed that he had been on the land legally.

Under the Treasure Act 1996 all objects over 300 years old and containing more than 10 per cent of precious metal are classified treasure.

Those who find items believed to be historical treasures are legally required to hand them in. Not reporting a treasure carries an unlimited fine or up to three months in prison.