A LATE medieval silver inscribed mount, which is over 300 years old, has been declared treasure by HM Coroner for Gwent.

The fragment of mount was discovered at a site thought to be near Llanbadoc, Monmouthshire by Michael Beirne of Newport in March 2014 while he was metal detecting near the river Usk.

The silver mount bears two incomplete inscriptions engraved against a recessed diagonally hatched background. There are two incomplete rivet holes, suggesting that it once formed part of a composite object.

In terms of design and style of lettering, the mount is probably fifteenth-century in date. The motto appears to be a version of the commonplace inscription nul si bien / nul ce bien / nul sy bien (‘None so good’, ‘None this good’), which also appears on finger rings. The slightly concave curvature across its width suggest that it once formed part of the grip of a sword. The few words deciphered on the hilt of this sword appear to be an invocation to the Virgin in Latin and Low German. The motto ‘None this good’ is appropriate for a fine sword.More in this week’s Beacon.