As any fan of The Detectorists will know, legend has it that when a metal-detecting searcher finds treasure, they dance ‘the gold dance’ – but is this just a myth?

Now, having met Luke Gallagher from Lowestoft who uncovered his own buried treasure in 2023, we can say that the gold dance is the real deal.

At Suffolk Coroners’ Court on Friday, 17 finds were presented to the county’s senior coroner Nigel Parsley, who had the task of determining if they could be classed as treasure.

Luke Gallagher has been metal detecting as a hobby for three years. (Image: Luke Gallagher) The ring discovered by Mr Gallagher, shown to scale. (Image: Suffolk County Council)

Under the Treasure Act 1996, a find must be 10% precious metal and be over 300 years old – and all 17 discoveries were found to be so.

Mr Gallagher was in court, waiting to hear the verdict on the medieval gold ring he had found in Halesworth on November 1, 2023.

The ring is thought to date back to the 16th or 17th century, explained Dr Anna Booth, the finds liaison officer for Suffolk County Council.

The ring is thought to have been worn on a finger – as opposed to being an earring or having a function other than being worn as jewellery – and is set with five translucent gemstones.

Gem cutting........

© Eastern Daily Press