A novice metal detectorist is celebrating after finding an antique gold ring worth more than £10,000.
Metal worker Paul McLoughin discovered two years without finding gold before attending a meeting in Salisbury, Wilts.
A day later when he unearthed only a rusty bolt, a horse shoe and pieces of lead, he was stopped in his tracks by a powerful signal.
The 32-year-old dug 8ins into the ground and found a beautiful gold ring with a stunning carving of the Catholic martyr Saint Christopher.
Paul said that he began to ‘tremble with joy’ when he visited the 1300-1500AD ring.
The 23mm ring features the French words ‘MON CUER AUET’, which translates to ‘You have my heart’. It would be for a person of high rank such as the bishop of the noble.
Despite being buried in the mud for at least 500 years the shiny ring was in perfect condition.
Paul, from Camarthenshire, South Wales, reported his absence to the local Finds Liaision Officer and is going through the Treasure process.
A novice metal detectorist is celebrating after finding an antique gold ring worth more than £10,000
The 32-year-old dug 8ins into the soil and found a beautiful gold ring with a stunning carving of the Catholic martyr Saint Christopher on it.
Paul said that it was a ‘lifetime gain’ and that he would share the money from the sale with the landowner.
He said: ‘I tripped over an eight-inch deep sign.
‘Expecting another piece of lead, I turned the plug with my spade and saw something sticking out of the side.
‘At the time it looked like a cable tie when I was wearing sunglasses and I was getting used to digging through rubbish.
But I picked it up and I couldn’t believe what I saw.
‘I started shaking as I had it in my hand. It was a beautiful gold finger ring.
‘My jaw drops when I wash the dirt in the front.
‘Sir Christopher’s glittering gold portrait in bright, buttery paint caught my eye.
Metal worker Paul McLoughin discovered two years without finding gold before attending a meeting in Salisbury, Wilts.
A day after digging up only a rusty bolt, a horse shoe and pieces of lead, he was stopped in his tracks by a powerful signal.
‘After two years of realization, I had won my first gold.
‘It was absolutely perfect, not a scratch on it.
‘The level of technology and the conditions really surprised me – it’s the best I’ve ever seen in my life.
‘I won’t be afraid to admit that I cried tears of joy.’
Julian Evan-Hart, editor of Treasure Hunting magazine, described the ring as ‘a fantastic find’.
He said: ‘Such rings that have been sold in the past have fetched between £5,000 and £10,000, and sometimes a tad more.
‘It’s a really nice find that could have belonged to a very high-ranking person, maybe a bishop or a nobleman.
‘The importance of St Christopher then was the same as it is now – safe and secure travel.’
