Post Medieval gold posy ring ‘NOT VALEW BVT VERT’ (‘not value but virtue’). A D-shape band decorated on the exterior with a raised grid design, the interior engraved in Roman capital script ‘NOT VALEW BVT VERT’, translated from old English as ‘not value but virtue’, approximately 3.1mm in width. Tested yellow gold, approximately 1.59 grams in weight, circa 16th century.

Accompanied by documentation from the Portable Antiquities Scheme stating this ring was found on 24^th September 2023 in Bulmer, Essex, UK. This ring is recorded by the Portable Antiquities Scheme under reference ESS-53D61E and disclaimed as Treasure under the Treasure Act, reference 2023T920.

Lettering and inscriptions can be used to narrow the dating of a ring with Oman (1974: 41) noting that inscriptions in Roman capitals were commonly inscribed on posy rings from the mid-16th century. The inscription on this ring (‘NOT VALEW BVT VERT’) can be found on two other posy rings both are recorded on the Portable Antiquities Scheme references HAMP-29FD7A and GLO-29CD05. The decoration and letter style of this ring can be paralleled with a similar posy ring from the 16th century in the British Museum's collection, Portable Antiquities Scheme reference LEIC-1E4CF4, its exterior band has a strikingly similar raised grid design filled with traces of white enamel. It is likely that this ring would have once been decorated with white enamel too, none of which has survived today.

This ring is in fine condition, commensurate with its age.

Accompanied by documentation from the Portable Antiquities Scheme stating this ring was found by a metal detector on 24th September 2023 in Bulmer, Essex, UK. This ring is recorded by the Portable Antiquities Scheme under reference ESS-53D61E and disclaimed as Treasure under the Treasure Act, reference 2023T920.