(Credit: Hansons Auctioneers)
A pair of ancient rings found in Radcliffe on Trent have been valued at over £10,000.
In July 2020 two different rings dating back to the 1500s were discovered at a metal detecting event in Radcliffe on Trent.
57-year-old Andy Taylor, found a posy ring and shortly after Graham Harrison, 65, found a signet ring in the same farmland in the village.
Graham’s find was thought to have links to the Sheriff of Nottingham and sold at Hansons Auctioneers in Derby last year for £8,500.
The posy ring is set to be sold at the same auction house in October and has a guide price of between £2,000 and £3,000.
Speaking to Newark Advertiser, Andy Taylor said: “I found it on a sunny July day in 2020. I was on a dig with around a dozen people from a metal detecting club.
“It was so hot, I decided to go back to my car to fetch my drink. I was lucky. Just as I turned back. I picked up a lovely strong signal. I dug a divot in the sandy soil and there was the ring, just looking at me.”
The rings were found among a number of coins in the same site. Andy continued: “I’m 95% certain both the rings and coins originally belonged to the same person. They were all found within 10 square metres of each other. The land had been disturbed by a pipe being laid at some point, otherwise they might have been closer together.
“In my opinion it was a stash of valuables buried at the same time. Legend has it that the Sheriff of Nottingham’s family hid valuables. I think the ring may have belonged to him or someone close to him.
“It appears to be a man’s posy ring, which is unusual. It’s the second largest ring of its type ever seen according to a report I received from the British Museum.
“I have never sold any of my metal detecting discoveries before but if I don’t part with the ring it will just be stuck in a pot forever with my best finds. I would like it to go to someone who will appreciate its historical value.”
The sold signet ring bore the name of the Jenison family, who served as High Sheriffs of Nottingham centuries ago. It’s thought that the posy ring could have belonged to the then-Sheriff of Nottingham or at least have links to him.
Speaking to Newark Advertiser, Charles Hanson, owner of Hansons Auctioneers, said: “This posy ring is awash with intrigue thanks to its mystery message and possible connection to the Sheriff of Nottingham or the Jenison family. Perhaps it was a gift to mark high status.
“The sheriff’s signet ring bore the crest of the Jenison family. The Nottinghamshire branch of the Jenison family first appeared as aldermen of Newark in 1580. Each generation served as aldermen and, after the 1626 charter, as mayors.
“I suspect the posy ring was lost, or buried for safekeeping, in the mid-16 th century, perhaps in the reign of the short-lived Edward IV or in the very early years of Queen Elizabeth I’s reign (1558 to 1603).
“The font reflects the Roman capitals used until around 1560. After that time italics started to make an appearance.
“Posy rings were often used as betrothal or wedding rings centuries ago. The messages inscribed inside were a secret to all but the wearer and giver, so we can never be certain what ‘I Meane Ryght’ meant to the owner of the ring.
“Its weight indicates its owner was wealthy. It was likely given as a token of love or esteem nearly 500 years ago.”
The news comes after a similar ring was found in the area in 2017 by James Adey.
(Credit: James and Jayne Adey)
