NOONANS TO SELL NEWLY DISCOVERED 18TH CENTURY GOLD ‘MEMENTO MORI’ RING

It was in late 2022 in the Vale of Glamorgan that David Nicklin aged 65, a retired civil servant was metal detecting with a friend using his Minelab Equinox 600 on a field that had been searched before many times. This time, however, it had been deep ploughed for the first time in 40 years after a potato harvest. After finding nothing but one old farthing, David decided to finally search around the edge of the field when he unearthed a gold ring at a depth of 3-4 inches. At first David thought it was a posy ring, but his friend noticed it had a skeleton in black enamel around the hoop. The ring which is in excellent condition will be offered at Noonans in a sale of Jewellery, watches and objects of vertu on Tuesday, March 14, 2023, with an estimate of £3,000-4,000.

As Nigel Mills, Consultant (Coins and Antiquities) at Noonans commented: “The ring has a coffin shaped rock Crystal inset into the bezel and is dated on the inside 28th Jan 1730 with the name eliz tucker aged 65 and inscribed with Memento Mori which translates as ‘remember thy death’.”

He continues: “Worn on the little finger they were a reminder to the wearer to live a life without sin as they will be held accountable in death. This was the height of fashion in the early 18th century. The Tucker surname originates from the West of England as the name for a fuller (someone who cleanses wool).”

The ring was recorded with Swansea Museum, but as it is less than 300 years old, it was not classed as treasure under the act, so could be returned to the finder. 
David, who lives near Neath in Wales said: “I have found a few gold rings in the past but nothing like this one. I was over the moon although I didn't realise its potential value. I hope that the ring sells well as my wife is wanting to buy some new carpets with the proceeds!”

He carries on: “In 2018, I found a gold James I Unite coin - it was one of three gold coins that were found close together and were declared treasure in 2022 - they are now on display in Powysland Museum in Welshpool. I also have two items currently going through the treasure process - a small hoard of deliberately broken Bronze Age weapons and a 12th century Romanesque niello inlay silver ring.”