EXPERTS have been unable to determine the age of a gold ingot found in Slimbridge. 

At an inquest heard in Gloucester, experts said the ingot was made somewhere between 100 BC and 1050 AD and could well be from the UK's Viking period - which is between 800-115. 

Assistant Gloucestershire Coroner Roland Wooderson said he was satisfied that despite the difficulty in precisely dating the ingot it is 'highly likely' to be more than three hundred years old and it is made of a sufficient percentage of precious metal to qualify as treasure.

A report from Dr Denise Wilding, treasure registrar at the British Museum, said the item is probably from the early Mediaeval age. 

The Museum in the Park at Stroud has expressed an interest in acquiring the ingot.

READ MORE: Historic relics discovered in Eastcombe declared treasure

Kurt Adams, Gloucestershire and Avon find liaison officer, said the ingot was found on 7th July 2019. 

He also said it weighs 3.11grams and measures 27mm by 6, by 2mm.

"It is a small gold ingot of uncertain date," he said. 

"Although not possible to definitely date it to a specific period, it is highly likely to be over 300 years old and could be from the Viking period."

The coroner declared that the mystery ingot is treasure.

He also said he was satisfied that the landowner in Slimbridge had given permission for the metal detectorist to be on his land when the find was made.