South West Heritage Trust buys 48‑gram Roman ring £78k
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- Kevin Minto discovered a 48‑gram gold Roman ring near Ilminster after finding Roman coins in 2017, and later shared the £78,000 acquisition proceeds with a fellow detectorist and the landowner.
- South West Heritage Trust purchased the Ilminster ring and 297 Roman coins for £78,000, keeping the artifacts in Somerset and planning a primary‑school tour and permanent display at the Museum of Somerset.
- Amal Khreisheh described the ring as “large and heavy, with elaborate gold work and a beautifully executed intaglio” and suggested it may have been owned by a governor, merchant or landowner for ceremonial occasions.
- Ilminster ring, dated to around AD 297, features a finely engraved gemstone of the goddess Victoria in a two‑horse chariot and still shows red‑soil flecks, indicating it has not been cleaned.
- South Somerset gains new insight from the find, shedding light on Roman activity during unrest of 286‑296, implying wealthy Romans lived there and used trade routes, and may be linked to a previously discovered lead‑lined coffin.
- Minto used his share of the proceeds to pay off his mortgage and reduce his lorry‑driving schedule, illustrating a personal financial impact from the discovery.
Why it matters: The acquisition keeps the rare gold ring and 297 Roman coins in Somerset, benefiting local heritage institutions and schools while providing Minto with a substantial financial windfall; the find also enriches understanding of Roman elite presence and trade in the region during the late 3rd century.
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