Treasure Act and other Laws

[Brianmo]

Treasure Act and other laws
Everyone dreams of finding Treasure and in the detecting world many people do, some stumble onto it on their first outing, some take 20 years or more and some never do.

Definition of Treasure
http://atoz.forumukdetectornet.co.uk/De ... easure.pdf

Or a summary from the Treasure Act;
The following finds are Treasure under the Act, if found after 24 September 1997 (or, in the case of category 2, if found after 1 January 2003):

1. Any metallic object, other than a coin, provided that at least 10 per cent by weight of metal is precious metal (that is, gold or silver) and that it is at least 300 years old when found. If the object is of prehistoric date it will be Treasure provided any part of it is precious metal.

2. Any group of two or more metallic objects of any composition of prehistoric date that come from the same find (see below)

3. All coins from the same find provided they are at least 300 years old when found (but if the coins contain less than 10 per cent of gold or silver there must be at least ten of them). Only the following groups of coins will normally be regarded as coming from the same find:

Hoards that have been deliberately hidden

Smaller groups of coins, such as the contents of purses, that may been dropped or lost

Votive or ritual deposits.

4. Any object, whatever it is made of, that is found in the same place as, or had previously been together with, another object that is Treasure.

5. Any object that would previously have been treasure trove, but does not fall within the specific categories given above. Only objects that are less than 300 years old, that are made substantially of gold or silver, that have been deliberately hidden with the intention of recovery and whose owners or heirs are unknown will come into this category.

Note: An object or coin is part of the ‘same find’ as another object or coin if it is found in the same place as, or had previously been together with, the other object. Finds may have become scattered since they were originally deposited in the ground.

What should I do if I find something that may be Treasure?
You must report all finds of Treasure to a coroner or PAS FLO for the district in which they are found either within 14 days after the day on which you made the discovery or within 14 days after the day on which you realised the find might be treasure.

Treasure Act in England and Wales
http://www.finds.org.uk/treasure/treasure_summary.php
http://www.finds.org.uk/documents/treasure_act.pdf (Treasure Act 1996)
http://nighthawking.thehumanjourney.net/pdfs/uk.pdf
http://www.finds.org.uk/treasure/advice.php (PAS advice to purchasers in UK)

Treasure Trove in Scotland
http://www.treasuretrovescotland.co.uk/
http://nighthawking.thehumanjourney.net ... otland.pdf
http://www.finds.org.uk/treasure/advice.php (PAS advice to purchasers in UK)

Detecting Overseas
Guernsey
http://nighthawking.thehumanjourney.net ... ernsey.pdf

Isle of Man
The law requires treasure finds to be reported promptly to Manx National Heritage, who inform the High Bailiff who decides whether a Treasure Trove inquest may be held. Treasure Trove is an ancient law which allows the British Crown to claim an item of value whose owner cannot be traced. In relation to Treasure Trove, the Manx Government, through the agency of MNH, takes the place of the Crown on the Isle of Man.
http://nighthawking.thehumanjourney.net/pdfs/iom.pdf

Isle of Wight
http://www.finds.org.uk/documents/info_ ... OWNERS.pdf

Jersey
http://nighthawking.thehumanjourney.net/pdfs/jersey.pdf

Northern Ireland
http://www.ehsni.gov.uk/built/monuments/arch.shtml
http://nighthawking.thehumanjourney.net/pdfs/ni.pdf

Outside UK
http://www.ncmd.co.uk/law.htm

Ebay
http://pages.ebay.co.uk/buy/guides/antiquities/
http://www.finds.org.uk/treasure/advice.php (PAS advice to purchasers in UK)