Rights Holder: Kent County Council
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FINGER RING
Unique ID: KENT-CC941A
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Published 
A worn cast silver inscribed finger-ring or 'posie' dating to the 17th or 18th centuries.
Description: The hoop is circular in plan, D-shaped in cross-section and has a transverse break. The inscription, which runs around the internal circumferences, is in lower case and reads 'This for a kiss'. The ring has substantial black silver oxidisation on its' internal circumference.
Measurements: 17.62mm in diameter, 2.8mm thick, band is 1.27mm thick and 0.97g in weight.
Discussion: Posie or posey rings were a popular form of finger-ring from the 16th to 18th centuries, more often in gold than silver.. Lettering and inscriptions can be used to try and narrow the dating of a ring. Those with block capitals being earlier and the lettering becoming lower case and more cursive and italic during the course of the 17th century and into the 18th. The inscription is a fairly common type of message with a number of variations such as BERK-9384F3 'FOR A KISS TAKE THIS' being known.
Taking all things into consideration this ring likely dates from the mid-17th century to the mid 18th century and it is not possible to say conclusively that it dates from before 1718.
Conclusion:
It is therefore uncertain that this finger ring dates to before 1718 and despite the object being made of more than 10% precious metals, it is precluded from the Treasure under the stipulations of The Treasure Act 1996.
Inscription:
This for a kiss
Subsequent actions
Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder after being declared not Treasure
Treasure details
Treasure case tracking number: 2017T639
Chronology
Broad period: POST MEDIEVAL
Period from: POST MEDIEVAL
Period to: POST MEDIEVAL
Date from: Circa AD 1650
Date to: Circa AD 1750
Dimensions and weight
Quantity: 1
Thickness: 2.8 mm
Weight: 0.97 g
Diameter: 17.62 mm
Discovery dates
Date(s) of discovery: Saturday 8th July 2017
Personal details
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Other reference numbers
Treasure case number: 2017T639
Materials and construction
Primary material: Silver
Manufacture method: Cast
Completeness: Complete
Surface Treatment: Incised or engraved or chased
Spatial metadata
Region: South East (European Region)County or Unitary authority: Kent (County)
District: Tunbridge Wells (District)
To be known as: Goudhurst
Spatial coordinates
Grid reference source: Generated from computer mapping software
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 1 metre square.
References cited
No references cited so far.
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Timeline of associated dates
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