FINGER RING

A complete gold posie/posey Finger Ring of Post-Medieval date, c.17^th century.

Description: The ring has an evenly well-formed band, D-shaped cross section. The interior circumference has an incised inscription typical of the type, in lower case lettering although not cursive, it reads 'I joy to find a constant mind'. The exterior surface of the ring is undecorated with only minor abrasions caused by post-depositional processes.

Measurements: 20.98mm in diameter, 5.83mm thick (band 1.73mm thick) and 4.8g 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 on this example is mirrored on a ring dated 1675 in the British Museum collections (BM ref: AF.1280). The lettering also being consistent with a mid-late 17^th century date with a mourning ring in the British Museum sharing similar lettering dating to the same period (Judy Rudoe, pers.comms) Similar examples can be seen on the Portable Antiquities Scheme database such as NARC-C177ED, which have all been declared treasure

Conclusion:

This object contains a minimum of 10% precious metal and probably dates to over 300 years old. Consequently, it constitutes potential Treasure under the stipulations of the Treasure Act 1996 in terms of both age and precious metal content.