A 600-year-old silver and gilt ring unearthed on the Isle of Man has been declared to be 'treasure' by the Island’s Coroner of Inquests. 

First discovered in May, by metal detectorist Gordon Graham, the ring dates to between AD 1400 and 1500.

It’s made of silver, but gilded with gold and finely decorated with geometric patterns.   

Allison Fox is the Curator for Archaeology at Manx National Heritage – she says: "We don’t know who this particular ring belonged to before it went into the ground, but we can see from the quality that they had the means to buy good pieces. 

"The period between AD 1400 and 1500 is an interesting one for the Island. 

"It led to the start of a relatively settled time, with the rule of the Stanley family providing political stability. 

"This encouraged wealth generation and we could suppose that this ring originally belonged to either a wealthy local person or visitor who wasn’t averse to showing their wealth. 

"But, equally likely, perhaps it belonged to someone who just liked nice jewellery!"  

Items declared as 'treasure' result in a financial reward for the finder and landowner – the ring is the first reported find to be declared as treasure under the Island’s updated treasure legislation.

The ring is now on display in the Medieval Gallery at the Manx Museum.