South West Heritage Trust Acquires £78,000 Roman Ring and 297 Coins for Somerset
Updated
Updated · The Guardian · Jun 2
South West Heritage Trust Acquires £78,000 Roman Ring and 297 Coins for Somerset
3 articles · Updated · The Guardian · Jun 2
£78,000 secured a rare gold Roman ring and 297 Roman coins for the South West Heritage Trust, which said the finds will stay in Somerset and eventually go on permanent display at the Museum of Somerset.
The ring—found near Ilminster and dated to about AD297—weighs 48 grams and bears an engraved gemstone showing the goddess Victoria in a two-horse chariot, a combination the trust called unparalleled in Britain.
Kevin Minto, the detectorist who found coins at the site in 2017 and the ring in 2018, said payment was completed only a couple of months ago after a dispute over proceeds from a veterans' detecting rally.
Curators say the hoard may illuminate south Somerset during unrest in AD286-296, and further analysis could determine whether the ring was made in Britain and whether a lead-lined coffin found nearby is linked.
A Roman ring surfaces after 1700 years. What secrets of a forgotten rebellion does it hold?
Does the allure of treasure hunting threaten to destroy more history than it uncovers for museums?