Mystery message discovered in 500-year-old ring found in UK farmland

A ring from nearly 500 years ago with a mysterious inscription has been found on a patch of UK farmland.

Andy Taylor dug up the old posy ring after he discovered it using a metal detector near Sherwood Forest in Nottinghamshire.

But the antiques fan said he nearly missed the item, which he unearthed during a metal detecting club event in 2020, as he only happened across it on his way to get a drink.

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He told LadBible: "I was lucky. Just as I turned back, I picked up a lovely strong signal."

"It was an exciting find. When that signal goes off you never know whether it will be a ring-pull or ancient treasure."

Posy rings are 16th-century love tokens and this one even came with a mystery message, "I Meane Ryght," inscribed on the inside.

Experts reckon it could be one of several items of treasure hidden by the Sheriff of Nottingham or a family member, with Andy's mate Graham Harrison having found a signet ring thought to have belonged to the sheriff shortly afterward.

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However, the mystery of the ring's message may never be solved.

Charles Hanson, owner of Hansons Auctioneers who will sell the ring later this year, said: "The messages inscribed inside were a secret to all but the wearer and giver, so we can never be certain what 'I Meane Ryght' meant to the owner of the ring."

He added the ring was likely a "token of love or esteem" given as a gift by a wealthy patron.

But the mystery love note is not the only thing that makes this find fascinating โ€“ Andy said the ring, weighing 15g, is the second-largest of its kind to have ever been found.

And with the jewellery now set to go under the hammer, experts reckon it will fetch between ยฃ2,000 and ยฃ3,000.

"I have never sold any of my metal detecting discoveries before but if I donโ€™t part with the ring it will just be stuck in a pot forever with my best finds," Andy said.

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