GOLD RING DISCOVERED BY A METAL-DETECTORIST IN A BUCKINGHAMSHIRE FIELD AND IDENTIFIED AS BELONGING TO GEORGE GRENVILLE – PRIME MINISTER IN MID 18TH CENTURY TO BE SOLD AT NOONANS

A gold seal ring, discovered by a metal-detectorist in a Buckinghamshire field, and identified as belonging to George Grenville, British Prime Minister between 1763-65, will be offered at Noonans Mayfair on Tuesday, June 11, 2024, in a sale of Jewellery, Watches, Silver and Objects of Vertu. It is estimated to fetch £6,000-8,000.

In May last year, Tom Clark, aged 85 years old, was eager to try out his brand-new metal detector, a Minelab Manticore. He tried it on a pasture field for sheep near Aylesbury in Buckinghamshire. His first signal discovered a Roman bronze coin, then three paces further, he found a Georgian gilded brooch. The next signal was about three metres away and revealed, at a depth of 10 inches, what looked to be a Medieval gold seal ring. Reading the name around the edge he saw the name ‘Grenvil’ and immediately recognised it as one of the ancestral surnames of the nearby manor house.

He commented: “I have been detecting since the age of 30, and over the years I have been lucky enough to find a Bronze Age gold armlet, a Roman lead coffin and many other treasures which are now in museums.”

As Nigel Mills, Artefact and Coin expert at Noonans, explained: “Just as the country focusses on who will be the next Prime Minister, we are pleased to be looking back to who was in power 260 years ago. The ring dates from the 18th century and originally belonged to George Grenville who was Prime Minister from 16 April 1763 to 10 July 1765. He tried to reduce Britain’s growing debt by raising revenue in the American colonies with the introduction of the Sugar Act, the Currency Act, and the Stamp Act. These new laws, especially the Stamp Act, were strongly objected to by the colonists and stirred up protests, which resulted in George III dismissing Grenville.” The Stamp Act was repealed in 1766, but concerns over taxation ultimately led to the American Revolutionary War of 1775-83.”

He continues: “The arms on the bezel of the ring are those of Grenville, of Wotton Underwood and of Stowe in the county of Buckinghamshire. This is a shield quartered with a central cross bearing five roundels, a helmet placed above the shield has a crest of a sheaf of corn. An inscription around reads ’Sigillum Georg de grenvil’ – this is a truly exciting discovery!”

This seal ring appears to have been handed down to his second son, also named George, as the find spot is close to the son’s residence near Aylesbury.  The ring has also been resized with a larger band, with evidence of re-engraving to minor details of the seal. The son was born in 1753 and followed in his father’s footsteps by becoming a Member of Parliament for Buckingham. He served as Lord Lieutenant of Ireland and was given the title of Marquess of Buckingham. He died in 1813. The ring presumably became a family heirloom passing from father to son and remained hidden in the ground until now.

The finder of the ring, Tom Clark, used to manufacture leather crafts, including brass buckles and horse brasses. He will share the proceeds of the sale with his wife, while the other half will be given to the landowner.