FINGER RING

A copper-alloy with tin Roman finger-ring. Submitted as potential treasure to determine the metal content in case it was silver to base silver. The finger-ring has a plain flat oval bezel, of 2.56mm thickness, 13.86mm width and 1453mm length. The bezel is separated from the expanded shoulders by an incised groove. The sub-triangular shoulders have a single notch in each edge, approximately one third of the length down from the bezel, that creates the resemblance of a notched lapel. The upper surface of the shoulders is decorated with two incised convergent lines that form a 'V' at the centre adding to the similarity of lapels. The point at which the bezel and shoulders meet has a width of 9.09mm. The shoulders have a length of 12.30mm and maximum width of 12.79mm tapering to 4.18mm at the lowest point. A slight notch is present on both egdes where the band of the finger-ring becomes the lower part of the shoulders. The upper part of the finger-ring, bezel and shoulders, are formed of straight or almost straight lengths giving a three part angular profile to the top of the band. The lower half of the loop has a 'D' shaped cross-section and semi-ovoid rather than semi-circular profile. The mid point of the lower half of the loop, opposite/below the centre of the bezel has a thickness of 2.40mm and width of 3.28mm. The finger-ring is complete with the exception of a narrow and irregular break through the band at this point.

The total external profile diamensions for this finger-ring loop are height 22.80mm and width 27.34mm. The total internal profile diamensions are height 18.18mm and width 22.60mm.

Weight is 7.84g.

Examples of similar finger-rings can be seen on the Portable Antiquities Scheme database including: BH-374768, HAMP-C94183, LIN-624677, LANCUM-FA5964, HAMP-04E170, NLM-9AAEB7.

Discussion: The precious metal content of the find is below 10% and therefore it falls outside the provisions of the Treasure Act 1996.

Helen Fowler
Finds Liaison Officer, Cambridgeshire

Richard Hobbs
Curator: Romano-British Collections, British Museum

Non-destructive X-ray fluorescence analysis of the surface of finger ring from the Milton Keynes District Area, Buckinghamshire identified the metal as an alloy of copper with tin and less than 1% precious metal. It is therefore not Treasure as defined under the terms of the Act. The finger ring weighs 7.82 grams.

Department of Conservation and Scientific Research The British Museum File No. 7506-42 26^th March 2013