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Description: | Treasure case: 2012 T53Description: Post-Medieval gold plated finger-ring. Exterior of ring is decorated with three horizontal rows of bosses, interior plain.Discussion: This is a puzzling ring for which we have found no parallels. The closest example in the British Museum collections is 1956,1014.1, which has diagonal rows of bosses creating a similar effect with a double row of capital letter inscription in English on the interior, the lettering consistent with a dating of 16th - 17th century. However the structure of this ring is different, it appears to be a layer of gold over a base metal base and the bosses are in horizontal rows. The ring shows signs of significant wear but the general effect is so different to the dated parallel that it is difficult to confirm that it is over 300 years old, especially in the absence of any inscription or marks.Dimensions: Diameter: 18.36 mmThickness: 5.34 mmWeight: 4.13 gMetal content: Non-destructive X-ray fluorescence analysis of the surface of a small ring with punched decoration from Horncastle, Lincolnshire, indicated a gold content of 58-62%, silver content of 35-38%, the remainder being copper. The ring weighs 4.1 grams.The Specific Gravity was measured as 12.2. This is significantly lower than the value expected if the ring was the same composition throughout, as that measured on the surface (though the rough surface of the ring is not ideal for accurate SG measurement). It suggests that it is plated but the value is higher than that of pure silver (10.5) or copper (8.94). The SG value could indicate a lead core (11.35), though no evidence for this was found, or it could indicate a silver-rich core with some gold. The balance of evidence indicates the ring contains more than 10% precious metal.The find cannot be securely dated to pre-1712 and as such falls outside the provisions of the Treasure Act 1996.Judy RudoeDepartment of Prehistory & EuropeThe British Museum
Original Image | Publisher: | http://finds.org.uk | Source: | Portable Antiquities | Identifier: | http://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/r... | Go to resource |
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