A routine metal-detecting session on the Isle of Man has led to a remarkable discovery—a rare piece of Viking gold jewelry dating back over a thousand years has officially been declared treasure.
The historic find, made in the spring of 2025 by veteran metal detectorist Ronald Clucas, offers a fresh glimpse into the island’s rich Viking heritage. The item—a fragment of a gold arm-ring—measures 3.7 cm and weighs 27.26 grams. Experts believe the original arm-ring was approximately 7.7 cm long and crafted using an intricate braiding technique involving eight twisted gold rods.
“I was absolutely stunned when I found it,” said Clucas, a member of the Manx Detectorist Society. “Gold usually gives off a very faint signal, so it’s always unpredictable. I’ve made some great finds over the years, but discovering Viking gold—this is on a whole different level.”
A Glimpse into Viking Wealth and Trade
According to Allison Fox, Curator of Archaeology at Manx National Heritage, Viking jewelry had multiple uses: it served as personal adornment, a status symbol, and a means of trade.
“This arm-ring was cut in two separate places, suggesting it was used in at least two transactions,” Fox explained. “One cut removed the terminal end, and another almost halved the piece. We’ll never know the exact reason it was buried—it may have been hidden for safekeeping, accidentally lost, or even offered to the Norse gods.”
A Rare Find in Viking Gold
During the Viking Age, the Isle of Man operated a dual economy using both coinage and bullion. While silver was relatively common, gold was exceptionally rare, making this discovery all the more significant in understanding the island’s early medieval economy and culture.
Clucas is no stranger to Viking-era finds. In 2005, he uncovered both a silver ingot and a lead ingot on the island. This latest find also marks his 50th anniversary as a metal detectorist—an extraordinary milestone in a remarkable hobbyist career.
Manx National Heritage extended thanks to Clucas, the landowner, and contributing scholars Dr. Kristin Bornholdt Collins and Professor James Graham-Campbell for their insights into the island’s Viking treasures.
Cover Photo: Courtesy Manx National Heritage
