Full Breakdown
Ilminster Ring: A Rare Roman Gold Treasure Unearthed in Somerset
6/6/2026, 12:42:37 PM
Discovery and Acquisition
In 2018, former soldier and metal-detectorist Kevin Minto uncovered a gold ring while searching a field near Ilminster, Somerset. The artefact, later named the Ilminster Ring, features a 48-gram gold band and an engraved gemstone depicting the Roman goddess Victoria on a two-horse chariot. Alongside the ring, Minto had previously recovered a hoard of Roman coins from the same site. In July 2026 the South West Heritage Trust purchased the ring and the associated coin hoard for £78,010 (approximately $105,000). The acquisition was funded through a public-interest campaign and the proceeds were divided equally between the landowner and Minto, whose share enabled him to settle his mortgage. The ring is slated for conservation and eventual display at the Museum of Somerset.
Historical Context and Significance
Archaeologists date the ring to around 297 AD, a period of political instability in Roman Britain (286-296 AD). The artefact’s size, gold content, and high-quality intaglio suggest it belonged to a wealthy individual—potentially a senior official or landowner—who may have used it in ceremonial contexts. Its burial, together with coins, lead, and pottery, aligns with patterns of hoarding during unrest, offering insight into local responses to imperial turbulence.
Key Figures and Stakeholders
- Kevin Minto – 68-year-old detectorist, former soldier and truck driver, primary discoverer.
- Phil Costello – Detectorist who assisted Minto and shared part of the reward.
- Amal Khreisheh – Senior curator, South West Heritage Trust, responsible for the trust’s public statements.
- South West Heritage Trust – Acquirer and steward of the ring, coordinating its conservation and community outreach.
Data and Valuation
- Weight: 48 g (1.7 oz) of gold.
- Iconography: Intaglio of Victoria driving a chariot.
- Estimated market value: £75,000.
- Purchase price: £78,010 (reported as “just over £78,000” in some outlets).
- Reward split: Equal division between landowner and Minto; Minto’s portion shared with Costello.
Official Statements & Institutional Response
The trust’s senior curator described the ring as “large and heavy, with elaborate goldwork and a beautifully executed intaglio,” noting that while comparable examples exist in Europe, the combination of size, craftsmanship, and preservation is unparalleled in Britain. The trust emphasized that the find illuminates how South Somerset’s Roman inhabitants navigated the late-3rd-century unrest and that the burial likely occurred shortly after 297 AD as part of a broader hoard. Following acquisition, the trust announced a community-engagement programme, including school visits and a public Discovery Day scheduled for 20 August at Ilminster Arts Centre.
On-the-Ground Perspective
Minto characterised the experience as “every detectorist’s dream” and recalled the moment his heart “raced” when the ring emerged from the soil. He later reflected that seeing the artefact alongside the coin hoard at the British Museum made its uniqueness “really sink in.”
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ slightly on the purchase price (£78,000 vs. £78,010) and on the ring’s precise dating (some cite 279 AD, others 297 AD). No criticism of the acquisition process appears in the available reports.
Verbatim Quotes
- “The Ilminster Ring is both large and heavy, with elaborate goldwork and a beautifully executed intaglio.” — Amal Khreisheh, senior curator, South West Heritage Trust
- “While other examples are known, these elements combine to create a spectacular ring that is only paralleled by continental discoveries.” — Amal Khreisheh
- “It’s every detectorist’s dream to find a hoard,” — Kevin Minto, metal detectorist
- “It wasn’t until I went to the British Museum and saw it all laid out there with the coins that it really sunk in. It’s a unique ring to Britain – there isn’t another one like it.” — Kevin Minto
- “When you do find something, your heart races. You never know what it is until you turn the soil over and find the item you found,” — Kevin Minto
- “After a visit to one primary school, Khreisheh said: “The ring is such a stunning object that the children really enjoyed being able to hold it and have a look at some of the coins in detail.” — Amal Khreisheh
What’s Next
The ring will tour regional primary schools in June, followed by a dedicated exhibition day in Ilminster in August. After the outreach programme, it will become part of the permanent collection at the Somerset Museum, where it will remain accessible to the public.
