From This is York: Mystery of biggest Viking gold ring.
Posted on August 25, 2004 12:21 PM. Filed under: history & archaeology.The biggest Viking gold ring ever found in the British Isles has been discovered among the belongings of a York man following his death.
Mystery surrounds the origins of the 324.6 gram arm ring, which has excited experts, one of whom called the find "fantastic".
The ring was yesterday declared to be "treasure" at an inquest at New Earswick Folk Hall.
York coroner Donald Coverdale said that Douglas Ingol had stumbled across the ring while going through his late father's effects.
Recognising its potential archaeological significance, Mr Ingol took it to the Yorkshire Museum, which passed it to the British Museum for analysis.
In a letter to the coroner, Mr Ingol said his 88-year-old father had worked in the building trade all his life, and lived in the York area until his death in February.
"He was a bit of a hoarder of anything that interested him," he wrote. [continue, see photo]