SWORD shards, a gold figurine and Roman rings were just some of the treasures found in Tendring in the last year.

The items were part of 21 lots that came up at inquests into treasure at New Bridge House, Chelmsford, on Wednesday.

All but one, that did not have the correct paperwork, were declared treasure as they were more than 300 years old and contained a significant amount of gold or silver.

Under the treasure act 1996 all finds must be reported to the authorities to give museums the opportunity to buy them.

Among the treasures was a medieval gold figurine of John the Baptist, discovered in Tendring in October last year, made in the late 15th century. The item is “unusual” because he appears as a prophet.

Although excavators will not reveal exact locations of their finds, items discovered in Tendring are most likely to originate from Great and Little Bromley.

Dave Haffenden of Lawford Metal Detecting Club, said that the figurine could be the find of someone’s life.

“They’re fantastic finds.

“I have a go nearly every weekend and you can always find something but imagine looking in a farmer’s field and then discovering a hoard of gold Roman coins.

“I discovered the oldest gold coin to have Camulodunum, the old name for Colchester, written on it. It dates back to 50 BC.

“When you find something like that the feeling is great.”

Among the finds were a post medieval silver pin, a 17th century silver cufflink and a gold Roman ring, found in Colchester, thought to be almost 2,000 years old.

The 20 treasures will now go to a committee which will decide their worth before museums are given the chance to buy the items or allow the owners to keep them.

If they do decide to buy them then the museum can raise the funds and the money is split between the finder and the owner of the land it was found on.