A Newton Aycliffe man unearthed a rare ancient ring - which could be worth up to £10k  while metal detecting in a field in County Durham. 

Avid amateur detectorist Colin Henderson, 59, from Newton Aycliffe, is part of the Quakers Acres, the metal detecting club in Darlington. 

In September last year, Colin was on a metal detecting trip out with the club when he found the a solid gold ring, covered in religious engravings. 

This is the second "once in a lifetime find", after uncovering a similar ring 18 years ago whilst metal detecting at Aldbrough St John, near Darlington. The North Yorkshire ring was bought by a museum in Harrogate, which has it on display. 

Colin Henderson with the ring he found in Sedgefield. Colin Henderson with the ring he found in Sedgefield. (Image: Handout)

Colin said: "It's the find of a lifetime - it's unbelievable.

"I was chuffed when I found it. I've found a lot of coins but this is really special."

Working in metal fabrication, Colin has been keen on the metal detecting hobby since 2002. 

The ring was handed into the finds officer, and is now being evaluated by experts at the British Museum, and will then go through the treasure inquest process, with the County Durham coroner ruling whether it's treasure or not. 

The Treasure Valuation Committee at the British Museum are currently evaluating the find. Once its value is decided, a reward equal to the value of the item is given to the finder, and split with the landowner.

Currently, the Finds Committee believes that it could be worth £3,000 to £5,000, but Colin has seen similar items of religiously significant jewellery go for around £10k at auction. 

The Sedgefield ring is an iconographic gold finger ring of medieval date, around 1450 - 1550 AD. 

(Image: Handout)

It has a highly decorated exterior face, centred around a double bezel featuring the incised depiction of two figures from the Biblical Annunciation.

The left image depicts a kneeling archangel Gabriel in robes with hands in prayer and flecked wings behind, while the right image depicts a standing nimbate Mary with her right hand across her breast. 

Because of its intricate religious iconography, this ring is "more significant" than Colin's previous jewellery find. 

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Intricate engravings depict religious iconography, making the ring valuable archaeologically, historically, and monetarily. 

(Image: Handout)

Currently, the Finds Committee believes that it could be worth £3,000 to £5,000, but Colin has seen similar items of religiously significant jewellery go for around £10k at auction. 

The ring's story remains a mystery. Found in the middle of a field, far from any roads or pathways, Colin though Colin thinks that is part of the item's charm and one of the things that keeps him hooked on the metal detecting hobby.