Somerset detectorist strikes gold with ‘spectacular’ Roman ring find
Summary
A metal detectorist named Kevin Minto found a rare, large gold Roman ring engraved with the goddess Victoria in a field in Somerset. The ring and nearly 300 Roman coins were bought by the South West Heritage Trust for £78,000 to keep them in the local area.Key Facts
- Kevin Minto is a lorry driver, former soldier, and metal detectorist from Wiltshire.
- The ring dates back to around AD 297 and weighs 48 grams.
- The ring features a finely engraved gemstone showing the goddess Victoria in a two-horse chariot.
- The find included 297 Roman coins scattered over a wide area near Ilminster, Somerset.
- The South West Heritage Trust acquired the ring and coins to preserve local history.
- Minto shared his part of the reward with a friend and gave half to the landowner.
- The discovery was made during a military veterans’ detecting rally, causing some dispute over ownership.
- The ring may have belonged to an important Roman figure like a governor or merchant and could have had ceremonial use.
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