Antique ring found in garden worth £12,000

A 17th-century gold ring is estimated to fetch £12,000 at auction after a retired teacher found it in his garden.

The gold seal ring from 1620 was discovered 15 years ago by Richard Mccaie, 71, while he was planting a bush in the grounds of his 16th-century farmhouse in Braunton, Devon.

It is believed to have belonged to Humphrey Cockeram, of Cullompton in Devon. Mr Mccaie has put it up for auction with Noonans, to be sold on March 14 with an estimated value of £8,000 to £12,000. He said he was surprised by the find and only realised the ring’s importance later. It has been recorded on the Portable Antiquities Database.