Real Life Treasure Hunt Stories
14th century ring is 'treasure'
25/02/09A trombonist found a 14th Century silver ring by listening to musical tunes played on his metal detector.
An inquest at Flint heard how Douglas Fletcher's machine emits high-pitched musical notes when it finds metal.
Mr Fletcher, who plays for the Royal Buckley Town Band in Flintshire, found the ring at a secret location.
The location was kept secret to avoid unauthorised metal detecting
Acting coroner John Gittins declared the ring, which is 97% pure, as treasure. A museum has expressed an interest in keeping it.
The coroner said it was up to Mr Fletcher and the landowner to negotiate with the museum and to agree a price to split between them.
Mr Fletcher said: "I have a very good ear for music which is why I got this kind of metal detector that works more with sound."
The ring was described as hanging together "by a thread" and is similar to one previously found in Kent.
