Metal detectorist hits jackpot with 'spectacular' Roman find
An "extravagant" amount of gold was used to make the ring, a curator said
- Published
A metal detectorist in Somerset literally struck gold when he found an ancient Roman ring glinting in a field.
Kevin Minto, 68, was "dumfounded" after spotting the ring, which dates to around AD297 - almost two thousand years ago.
"It's hard to explain what if feels like when you find something like that," Kevin Minto said. "It was like being hit by an express train.
"One of the boys I was with was screaming: 'We're rich, we're rich!'"
'Things like this don't come along very often,' said Amal Khreisheh.
The ring, found near Illminster, weighs 48 grams. It has a carved gemstone showing the ancient Roman goddess Victoria driving a two-horse chariot.
South West Heritage Trust has bought the ring, alongside 297 Roman coins also found at the site, for £78,000. The trust says the treasures will remain in Somerset.
Amal Khreisheh, senior curator at the trust, said the "spectacular" ring is "both large and heavy, with elaborate gold work".
"Perhaps the ring belonged to a governor, merchant (trader) or big landowner," Amal told the Guardian.
It might have been worn by its owner for special occasions, she said, but further studies may be carried out to discover if it was made in Britain or elsewhere.
The ring will be placed in the Museum of Somerset, in Taunton.
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Detectorist Kevin Minto has previously found treasures on the site. He first found Roman coins there in 2017, and has since returned and discovered more items.
"The coins were all over the place," he said.
On another occasion he found a lead-lined coffin, which may be connected to the ring.
