SUSS-8E912A: Post Medieval Finger Ring Inscribed With 'LIVE TO DIE'

Rights Holder: Sussex Archaeological Society
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FINGER RING

Unique ID: SUSS-8E912A

Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow status: Awaiting validation

A Post Medieval copper alloy 'momento mori' finger ring, probably dating from the 16th-17th centuries AD. The finger ring is in the form of a thin band. The outside surface is corroded but possibly has a lined decoration. The inside of the band is inscriped with the words 'LIVE TO DIE'. The ring measures 20.5mm in diameter, 2.4mm wide. 1mm thick and weighs 0.87 grams. A similar inscription has been recorded for two rings on the PAS database, both composed of gold: DEV-854B01 and IOW-6A11D0; they have both been dated to c. 16th-17 centuries AD.

Notes:

As the inscription is extremely difficult to read and photograph, an interior photograph of the inscription was not taken.

Class: Momento mori
Inscription: LIVE TO DIE

Subsequent actions

Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder

Chronology

Broad period: POST MEDIEVAL
Period from: POST MEDIEVAL
Period to: POST MEDIEVAL
Date from: Circa AD 1500
Date to: Exactly AD 1700

Dimensions and weight

Quantity: 1
Width: 2.4 mm
Thickness: 1 mm
Weight: 0.87 g
Diameter: 20.5 mm

Discovery dates

Date(s) of discovery: Monday 13th October 2014

Personal details

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Materials and construction

Primary material: Copper alloy
Manufacture method: Cast
Completeness: Complete

Spatial metadata

Region: South East (European Region)
County or Unitary authority: East Sussex (County)
District: Wealden (District)
Parish or ward: Long Man (Civil Parish)

Spatial coordinates

4 Figure: TQ5403
Four figure Latitude: 50.80609375
Four figure longitude: 0.18426017
1:25K map: TQ5403
1:10K map: TQ50SW
Grid reference source: Centred on field
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 100 metre square.

Discovery metadata

Method of discovery: Metal detector
Discovery circumstances: Date is that first reported and recorded.
General landuse: Cultivated land
Specific landuse: Character undetermined

References cited

No references cited so far.

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Timeline of associated dates

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Audit data

Recording Institution: SUSS
Created: 8 years ago
Updated: 8 years ago

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