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FINGER RING
Unique ID: BH-B63C98
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Published 
A fragment of a silver finger ring, comprising the bezel and much of the flanking shoulders. The ring is of rectangular section, its widest point being at the bezel, the flat surface of which bears an incised palm branch motif, aligned longitudinally. The bezel extends smoothly into the tapering shoulders, which are undecorated.
Discussion:
Ralph Jackson dates a similar ring from Cottered, Hertfordshire, to the 1st to 3rd century AD, based on comparison with two similar examples in the British Museum collection (TAR 2005/6: 60, Treasure case 2006 T418). In reference to the palm branch, Jackson comments: 'This motif, quite frequently found Empire-wide on Roman rings of gold, silver and bronze, was the commonly-used symbol of victory, believed to offer protection from malign forces. In death it was supposed to help the wearer reach the afterlife' (ibid.). Other examples of silver rings with palm branch motifs include treasure cases 2005 T230 (Gisburn, Lancs) and 2007 T438 (York).
Notes:
This find qualifies as Treasure under the stipulations of the Treasure Act 1996 in terms of both age and precious metal content.
Subsequent actions
Current location of find: Hertford Museum
Subsequent action after recording: Donated to museum after being declared Treasure
Treasure details
Treasure case tracking number: 2014T82
Chronology
Broad period: ROMAN
Period from: ROMAN
Period to: ROMAN
Dimensions and weight
Quantity: 1
Length: 8.7 mm
Width: 17.9 mm
Thickness: 2 mm
Weight: 1.37 g
Discovery dates
Date(s) of discovery: Friday 1st November 2013
Personal details
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Other reference numbers
Treasure case number: 2014T82
Materials and construction
Primary material: Silver
Manufacture method: Cast
Completeness: Incomplete
Spatial metadata
Region: Eastern (European Region)County or Unitary authority: Hertfordshire (County)
District: East Hertfordshire (District)
To be known as: Braughing
Spatial coordinates
Grid reference source: Generated from computer mapping software
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 10 metre square.
References cited
No references cited so far.
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