A rare medieval gold and diamond ring unearthed by a metal detector enthusiast in Leicestershire has sold at auction for £42,000.
John Stevens, who found the ring on land near Fleckney, was celebrating after learning it had sold for more than twice the estimated price yesterday.
The 15th century ring was described as an “extraordinary” find by experts at auctioneer Bonhams, in London.
Between 10 and 15 bidders – in the room and on the phone – were hoping to secure the ring.
Mr Stevens, who lives in south Leicestershire, was unable to attend the auction due to work commitments, but said he was “chuffed to bits” when he heard how much it had sold for.
“It’s fantastic, I’m in shock,” he said. “That’s a good hammer price.”
The ring is set with a diamond, which was not commonly used in the 15th century as craftsmen did not have the tools to shape the stone.
It includes an inscription in Gothic script which reads: “amour mi tien” (love keep me).
Read the full story at this is Leicestershire
