A CHANCE "treasure" find hailed as the most significant of its kind ever made in Herefordshire has stumped experts in history and heraldry over who it could have belonged to.

Mystery even extends to why the two-inch tall 16th century silver fob seal was in Much Dewchurch, where it was found in a field by a dedicated metal detector late last year.

An inquest this week proved the fob's metal was precious and county coroner David Halpern classed it as treasure.

Finder Alison Lewis, of Much Birch, told the inquest that the seal she discovered with her metal detector was first discounted as having little value.

Its real merit was recognised when Ross-on-Wye Heritage Centre hosted a "Finds Day" and Herefordshire's Finds Liaison Officer Peter Reavill sent it off to the British Museum.

Speaking after the hearing at Hereford Coroner's Court, Mr Reavill said that the find was the most significant of its kind in the county. Only three similar silver fobs have been found in Britain since 1996, said Mr Reavill.

According to experts, the fob was almost certainly once worn around the neck of a high-ranking nobleman. But the coat of arms it impressed onto wax doesn't match that of any known "noble" Herefordshire family.

Neither the British Museum nor the College of Arms has yet been able to prove to whom the fob belonged.

The fob will stay with the British Museum. Mrs Lewis can expect to receive its "full market value" should a museum buy it for show.