Retired teacher finds 17th century gold ring in his garden - and it could fetch £12,000

A 17th century gold ring is estimated to fetch £12k at auction - after being found by a retired school teacher in his back garden. The gold seal ring from 1620 was discovered 15 years ago by Richard McCaie, 71, whilst he was planting a bush.

Richard discovered the ring about 10 inches into the ground of his Grade II listed 16th century farmhouse at Braunton, Devon. And now the heirloom is up for auction with an estimated value of £8,000-£12,000.

Nigel Mills, artefacts and antiquities consultant at auction house Noonans, said: "The ring dates from 1620 and very likely belonged to Humphrey Cockeram of Cullompton in Devon.