Spectacular Roman Ring Found by Metal Detectorist

The 1,700-year-old ring, discovered in an English field and deemed a “treasure,” is described as “a truly remarkable find”.

Credit: South West Heritage Trust

The jewelry’s ornately carved setting encompassed a blue gem engraved with a telling image: the Roman goddess Victoria, two wings protruding from her back, driving a horse-drawn chariot. “It was like being hit by an express train,” recalls the finder, truck driver Kevin Minto.

“At first I thought it was a coin, then a brooch, and then realised it was a ring. You’re a little dumbfounded, really. One of the boys I was with was screaming: ‘We’re rich, we’re rich.’” Minto's good fortune extended further because he also found some gold coins in the field in Somerset, south west England.

In the end, the South West Heritage Trust charity purchased the ring and coins for £78,000 ($105,000). Half of the treasure’s value was paid to the owner of the field in which it was discovered, reports the Guardian. The other half went to Minto, and he split it with a fellow detectorist.

The Trust says the so-called Ilminster Ring is “a truly remarkable find” because it’s in good condition and is unusually big (weighing nearly 50 grams), and dates back to the late third century C.E. - during the Roman Empire’s occupation of the British Isles. “The Ilminster Ring is both large and heavy, with elaborate goldwork and a beautifully executed intaglio. While other examples are known, these elements combine to create a spectacular ring that is only paralleled by continental discoveries.”

Romans began colonizing what’s now England in 43 C.E., under the emperor Claudius. By the end of the first century, their control had spread as far north as present-day Scotland. They named their new province Britannia, and held it until the empire collapsed in the fifth century. Modern archaeologists have found countless artifacts and sites dating back to Britain’s Roman era: villas, interesting burials, mosaics, coins. But the ring is unique.

“Roman gold is really rare,” an expert told BBC News. “Most jewelry is made out of silver or bronze in this period, so it's really striking to see in such good condition.” As for how it ended up in a field: Researchers think someone purposefully buried the ring and coins for safekeeping in 297 C.E.

Victoria was the ancient Roman goddess and personification of victory, the Roman equivalent of the Greek goddess Nike. Unlike Greek deities with complex mythologies, Victoria deified the Roman empire's military triumphs, manifest destiny, and imperial power.