A person with a metal detector has found a silver neck-ring dating back to the Vikings during a search near Tockwith.

Experts believe the precious find was probably jewellery before it was used for hack silver, which people chopped up into smaller pieces to use as payment.

The finder, who has not been named, submitted the silver for consideration as treasure last year.

Yesterday, at a coroner’s inquest in Northallerton, the item was verified as treasure.

The neck-ring, which dates back to between AD 800 and 950, was found in June last year.

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John Broadbridge, assistant coroner for North Yorkshire, said:

“I am delighted to say that it contains precious metal and is of sufficient age to qualify as treasure.”

The neck-ring is still with the person who found it. But York Museums Trust hopes to add the piece to its collections.

A spokesperson for the trust thanked the finder and told the Stray Ferret:

“The fragment comprises a circular sectioned rod with cut terminals to either end. The surface of the rod has a closely spiral-striated appearance. No nick marks are evident.

“We cannot comment on the value of the object. This will be decided by a panel of independent experts known as the Treasure Valuation Committee in due course.”