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FINGER RING
Unique ID: WMID-D0544E
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Awaiting validation 
A Post Medieval gold memento mori ring, dated AD 1673. The finger ring is formed from a flattened band which is broadly 'D' shaped with a convex outer surface and flat inner band. The ring has a skull on the outer band, comprising of two oval shaped incisions forming the eyes and a triangular shaped incision for the nose. The inside of the band is inscribed with J B. ob. 21. Oct .73.
This is followed by a maker's mark which is similar to an example discovered in London, Treasure case number: 2009 T92 which is stated as an IP above a pellet in a shield. Although this mark could also be interpreted as the conjoined letters MP.
Date: 1673
Dimensions:
Thickness: 1.09 mm
Weight: 2.6 grams
Diameter: 19.48 mm
Discussion: Judy Rudoe, Curator at The British Museum has commented that "When you have just the last two figures of the date, as here, '76', it means it's AD 1676".
Conclusion and dating:
Consequently, in terms of age and as the object contains a minimum of 10% precious metal, it qualifies as Treasure under the stipulations of the Treasure Act 1996. This example is very similar to 2009 T92 which was declared Treasure but returned to finder as no museum was able to acquire it.
Inscription:
JB ob 21 Oct 73
Subsequent actions
Current location of find: Potteries Museum and Art Gallery
Subsequent action after recording: Acquired by museum after being declared Treasure
Treasure details
Treasure case tracking number: 2017T842
Chronology
Broad period: POST MEDIEVAL
Period from: POST MEDIEVAL
Period to: POST MEDIEVAL
Date from: Exactly AD 1673
Date to: Exactly AD 1673
Dimensions and weight
Quantity: 1
Thickness: 1.09 mm
Weight: 2.6 g
Diameter: 19.48 mm
Discovery dates
Date(s) of discovery: Tuesday 1st August 2017 - Thursday 31st August 2017
Personal details
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Other reference numbers
Treasure case number: 2017T842
Materials and construction
Spatial metadata
Region: West Midlands (European Region)County or Unitary authority: Staffordshire (County)
District: Stafford (District)
To be known as: Church Eaton
Spatial coordinates
Grid reference source: From finder
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 100 metre square.
References cited
No references cited so far.
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Timeline of associated dates
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