A budding metal detectorist is celebrating after discovering a beautiful gold medieval ring worth more than £10,000.
Steelworker Paul McLoughin had been exploring for two years without ever finding gold before taking part in a meeting in Salisbury, Wilts.
After a day of digging up only a rusty bolt, a horseshoe and pieces of lead, a powerful signal brought him to a halt.
The 32-year-old dug 8 centimeters into the ground and discovered the beautiful gold ring with an intricate carving of Catholic martyr Saint Christopher on it.
Paul said he started shaking with excitement as he inspected the ring, which dates from 1300-1500 AD.
The 23mm diameter ring features the French inscription ‘MON CUER AUET’, which translates as ‘You have my heart’. It would have belonged to a person of high status, such as a bishop or a nobleman.
Despite being buried in the mud for at least 500 years, the shiny ring was in pristine condition.
Paul, from Camarthenshire, South Wales, reported his discovery to the local Finds Liaision Officer who went through the Treasure process.
A budding metal detectorist is celebrating after discovering a stunning gold medieval ring worth more than £10,000
The 32-year-old dug 8 centimeters into the ground and discovered the beautiful gold ring with an intricate carving of Catholic martyr Saint Christopher on it.
Paul said it was the ‘find of a lifetime’ and he will share the proceeds of the sale with the landowner.
He said: ‘I came across a signal at a depth of 20cm.
‘Anticipating another piece of lead, I turned the plug over with my shovel and I saw something sticking out of the side.
“At the time it looked like a zip tie because I had sunglasses on and I got kind of used to digging up trash.
‘But I unwrapped it and couldn’t believe my eyes.
‘I started shaking when I had it in my hand. It was a beautiful gold finger ring.
‘My jaw dropped as I carefully cleaned the ground from the front.
‘The shimmering gold statue of Sir Christopher in a rich, buttery shade caught my eye.
Steelworker Paul McLoughin had been exploring for two years without ever finding gold before taking part in a meeting in Salisbury, Wilts
After a day of digging up only a rusty bolt, a horseshoe and pieces of lead, he was stopped by a powerful signal.
‘After two years of exploring, I found my first gold.
‘It was absolutely perfect, not a scratch on it.
‘The level of craftsmanship and the condition it is in really amazed me; it is the find of 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 ‘wonderful find’.
He said: ‘Such rings, when previously auctioned, have fetched between £5,000 and £10,000, and sometimes a little more.
‘It is truly a beautiful find that belonged to a person of very high status, at least a bishop or a nobleman.
‘The meaning of Saint Christopher then, as now, was: safe travel.’