TREASURE is such an exciting word. When applied, in a coroner's court, to the biggest Viking gold ring ever found in the British Isles, it is even more thrilling.

Add the mysterious provenance of this ring, which was discovered among the effects of a York man who was known to his family for hoarding, and you have a find worthy of a film script.

Because no one seems to know how the dead man acquired this ring, the delightful riddle can only grow.

Updated: 09:54 Wednesday, August 25, 2004