Message:

<p>[QUOTE=&quot;Texas John, post: 1020191, member: 25813&quot;]One reason the Dark Ages were so dark was a chronic shortage of money. The collapse of the Roman empire meant places without native deposits of gold and silver (like England) were cut off from new supplies. The rulers of the little Anglo-Saxon kingdoms like Mercia and Essex were therefore always short of funds, so they made it a law that treasure troves of gold and silver belonged to them. This gradually became codified in English common law. The original reasons for the law have changed (true, England&#039;s still broke, but the odd jar full of denarii won&#039;t help much). The current law is designed to protect historically important finds, while <i>still assuring finders and land owners receive fair value. </i>It really is a good thing, and not oppressive. Anyway, a hundred double eagles are hardly likely to be ruled historically significant, so the finders will wind up keeping, I think.[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

Your name or email address:

Do you already have an account?

• No, create an account now.
• Yes, my password is:
• Forgot your password?

Stay logged in