A RARE 350-year-old gold finger ring found by a metal detector treasure hunter in Wotton-under-Edge has been declared treasure at an inquest on Wednesday.
The post-medieval, gold posy ring was found by Kenneth Pryor on March 12 and has a D-shape cross-section hoop engraved with the inscription 'Let love abide tell Death divide' with the goldsmith's mark of IE in black letters.
Senior Gloucestershire coroner Katy Skerrett said: "Following a report from Kurt Adams, finds liaison officer for Gloucestershire and Avon, and Claudia Steadman from the British Museum, I am in agreement that this object qualifies as treasure under the 1996 Treasure Act, in terms of age and precious metal content.
"I understand the museum in Stroud has expressed an interest in the item."
The ring, which dates from between 1656 and 1707 qualifies as treasure because it is over 300 years old and contains at least 10 per cent precious metal.
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