400-year-old silver ring is a treasure

A 400-YEAR-OLD silver ring believed to have been a gift to a sweetheart has been unearthed in a field in Derbyshire.
The discovery was made by Mick Beasley, of Ilkeston, who was searching with a metal detector on land in Sandiacre.
Measuring just 1.5cm across, the silver ring was officially declared as treasure – meaning Mr Beasley can keep the item – during an inquest in Derby yesterday.
Inside the ring is the inscription VSE * VERTVE – which means "used virtue".
It is believed to represent a woman being betrothed to a loved one.
Mr Beasley, 45, said: "I have been searching for items with my metal detector since 1986.
"This is the first time, out of the thousands of things I've found, that I have had to come to court to have it classed as treasure.
"When I scraped the mud off after I dug up the ring my hands wouldn't stop shaking.
"I knew it was one of my better finds straight away."
Yesterday, an inquest was held at Derby Coroners' Court to decide the ownership of the ring, thought to be worth hundreds of pounds.
An inquest must be held for any items which are more than 300 years old and contain more than 10% gold or silver.
If a finder can show to a coroners' court that the owner had not intended to reclaim the valuables, the finder can keep them, splitting any value with the owner of the land on which they are found.
If they are thought to have been hidden by someone who meant to reclaim them, they belong to the Crown.
Dora Parr, curator at Erewash Museum, High Street, Ilkeston, said she had seen the pictures of the ring and was interested in putting in a bid.
She said: "During the 16th century the catholic monastery at Dale Abbey was dissolved by Henry VIII and made into a ruin.
"Erewash was part of the Monk's Way pilgrimage which ran between Derby and Ilkeston and this piece fits perfectly into that era."

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