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South West Heritage Trust Acquires Rare Roman Gold Ring

6/3/2026

43 9 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

South West Heritage Trust purchased the Ilminster Ring for display at the Museum of Somerset.
The ring is an extraordinary Roman gold finger ring dating to AD 286-296, a period in which such jewellery is extremely rare.
Metal detectorist Kevin Minto discovered the ring in 2018 near Ilminster, Somerset.
The trust raised £78,010 with support from Arts Council England and charities to fund the acquisition.

History

Historical Context

After Emperor Claudius’s AD 43 invasion, Rome held Britain until AD 410, building more than 2,000 forts whose soldiers wore gold ornaments. The Ilminster Ring, dated AD 286-296, exemplifies that elite adornment; its recent acquisition by the South West Heritage Trust, funded by a £78,010 Arts Council England grant, lets the Museum of Somerset showcase Roman cultural influence in Britain today.

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Story summary

South West Heritage Trust purchased the Ilminster Ring for display at the Museum of Somerset.
The ring is an extraordinary Roman gold finger ring dating to AD 286-296, a period in which such jewellery is extremely rare.
Metal detectorist Kevin Minto discovered the ring in 2018 near Ilminster, Somerset.
The trust raised £78,010 with support from Arts Council England and charities to fund the acquisition.

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