A GOLD ring unearthed at Kirklees Hall dates back to the 15th century.
And now an inquest has decided that the piece of jewellery unearthed by a local couple is treasure trove and property of the Crown.
It has been identified as a Three Kings Magi finger ring.
Coroner Mr Roger Whittaker yesterday held an inquest to determine the future of the ring, found by Ian and Linda Day.
He ruled that the ring was treasure trove and the ring will now be valued by experts before being offered for exhibition, possibly at the British Museum.
Mrs Day, 55, who lives at Kirklees Hall, found the ring in woods on the edge of the estate while walking with her husband.
They thought at first it was an old brass washer.
Later, Mrs Day cleaned it up and took it to a jeweller who found an inscription `Yaspar, Melchior and Baltasar', identified as the Three Wise Men, Caspar, Melchior and Balthazar.
Mrs Day, 55, said: "I saw something on the ground and thought it was a brass washer. I put it in my pocket but didn't wear the coat again for months.
"It was not until I cleaned it up I realised it was something more interesting."
She said the ring had been on the surface and thought it may have been dug up by an animal in the woods.
The ring was identified by staff at the Tolson Museum in Ravensknowle Park, Moldgreen.
A spokesman for the British Museum said: "It is a lovely find and could be worth thousands of pounds."
Its true value will be assessed at an independent Treasure Valuation Committee in January.
