Coins, Historical Medals and Antiquities

Roman, a silver ring of the emperor Postumus, c. 265-269, internal diameter 21 mm, weight 11.89g, Henig type VIII (keeled type) ridged hoop with a pelta design, wide triangular shoulders decorated with chevrons, angled to a raised octagonal bezel which is recessed and inset with a gold foil wrapped denarius of Postumus, Cologne mint, 265-9, (post)vmvs pivs felix avg, jugate laureate busts of Postumus and Hercules facing left (RIC 350 [rev. Hercules walking left]). Good very fine with a few light surface marks
£3,000-£4,000

Found at Cheselbourne, Dorset, in 2019 [disclaimed as treasure 2019T346]. the ring was on display earlier this year at the British Museum in a special cabinet on scientific research on finds.

This imposing ring is likely to be a military award for a successful campaign under the commander Marcus Cassianius Latinus Postumus, who ruled the Gallic Empire (which included Gaul, Germania, Britannia and Hispania) for ten years.