A Viking armband found amongst the possessions of a family's deceased father in York. © Yorkshire Museums

A rare piece of Viking gold that was discovered in the possessions of a deceased builder from York has finally gone on display at the Yorkshire Museum.

The pure gold armband weighing three quarters of a Kilogram is only the third of its type ever to be found in Britain and Ireland and experts at the museum believe it would have been worn by one of the richest people living in Viking York, then called Jorvik.

Following its discovery two years ago when the relatives of the builder took it to their local finds liaison officer the armband was declared treasure by a coroners’ court. The York Museum Trust, which runs the Yorkshire Museum, was successful in applying for funding to purchase the arm ring and it will go on display in the next few weeks.

“This is only the second arm ring of this type to be found in England and for us to have it is exceptional,” said Andrew Morrison, curator of archaeology at the museum. “It is a stunningly nice piece and not only is it gold and Viking but incredibly rare as well. We are delighted that we are able to keep it here in York where it was found.”

Comprising three strands of intertwined gold, the bracelet dates from the ninth or tenth century and would have been owned been worn on the arm to show the wealth of the owner.

'Jolablot' Jorvik Viking Festival celebrates York's Viking heritage.

During the period that the arm ring was made England was divided up with the north and midlands, known as the Danelaw under the law and jurisdiction of the Vikings. York, was the capital of this land which explains why the gold band was found there.

“One important point the arm ring illustrates is that York was not just the home of tradesman and a dirty, smelly place to be, as is often the stereotypical image,” added Morrison. “These bands would have been worn by some of the richest and most powerful people in the country and they lived right here in York.”

The York band was bought by the York Museum Trust with funding from the Victoria and Albert Museum Purchase Grant Fund and the Headley Trust.