Description: A complete gold penannular ring. The object is circular in both shape and cross section with a narrow gap between the terminals which are flat ended. The surface comprises gold of a bright yellow colour decorated with narrow stripes of a paler silvery gold which can be clearly seen on the interior of the ring but are barely visible on the outer edge. The stripes appear fairly evenly spaced. While it is common for such objects to be formed around a copper alloy core there is no obvious visual evidence of it here.

Composition

Non-destructive X-ray fluorescence analysis of the surface of a small striped penannular ring from Thwing, Yorkshire indicated a gold content in the yellow stripes of approximately 76%, a silver content of approximately 21%, with at least 3% copper. Approximately 25% silver was detected in the pale stripes and at least 3% copper, with a correspondingly lower gold content than the yellow stripes.

Identification

A well-known Late Bronze Age type, decorative in nature, c1000 - 800 BC. This example may be unusually small.

Dimensions:

Diameter: 11.2mm; Thickness: 2.6mm; Weight 1.3g.

Discussion:

In terms of age and as the object contains a minimum of 10% precious metal it qualifies as Treasure under the stipulations of the Treasure Act 1996.

Reference:

Numerous similar examples have been reported as Treasure and are recorded on the PAS database. For examples see:

2014 T113 (CAM-5B1D08) - <a href="http://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/record/id/604511">http://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/record/id/604511</a>

2012 TW4 (NMGW-928F55) - <a href="http://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/record/id/628395">http://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/record/id/628395</a>

2014 T730 (NLM-129434) - <a href="http://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/record/id/643271">http://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/record/id/643271</a>

2013 T739 (BH-D0CF18) - <a href="http://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/record/id/585063">http://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/record/id/585063</a>