Interesting article..... https://www.theguardian.com/culture...edefine-treasure-to-help-uk-museums-buy-finds
In my world, private collectors should have equal rights when artifacts like that are sold. It should go to the highest bidder. The UK is pretty fair, compared to places like Israel where you can go to jail for finding a coin hoard and not turning it over to the state. John
I guess I have a bit of larceny in me, but if I found a hoard, or even a bauble, I would not tell anyone, not even a member of family.
I like the UK system.. I would rather items be in a museum if they are of interest or cultural significance to the region.. the finder/land owner still gets fair market price paid by the museum/gov't - and more people get to see and enjoy the artifact. If the item is not of interest to the museum (we already have 20 of those coins - why would we want to buy more?) then it can be sold to private collections. That is my understanding of how it works.. please correct me if I am wrong.
I think you are right. The "finder" has first shot at the hoard. If the treasure was located on another persons property, then landowner and finder will share 50/50. If both parties are collectors, they would share find. If both parties have no interest, then museum/ private bidder have equal crack at coins in auction. However, if a private bidder wins out, he/ she would acquire coins/ artifacts. I recently won a Iceni AV Stater/ 3 known....museum did not have funds/ its now in my collection
Nope. The finder has first choice. If, I found a AV Aureus from Allectus/ I would keep it my secret. If, I found 400 AV Solidi on a farmers land, we would share the find. OK, the state/ museum can make a fair offer for hoard, the finder/ farmer could say no, we are keeping them/ or they are going to be auctioned off by Spink Auction. Then the museum would be able to secure coins, vs private bidders, highest bids win.
Happens more then you would think. Museums are appendages of the State. Most Countries are running deficets, and going deeper into debt. So, museums are not a priority, esp. in UK/ now with the "Brexit" fiasco.
Whenever I've become aware that a museum is interested in a coin I'm bidding on, I've deferred to them and not bid. They don't have the budgets to regularly add to their collections and these days, if they're deliberately that interested in a coin, they probably have some purpose for it (an exhibit, display, etc.)
You might be thinking of single random finds. In the UK if what is found is declared 'treasure' the rules are very different and the government get first shot at the material (and if I read the material right the government does not necessarily have to pay the finder, though I could find no examples where they did not). You can Google it, there are endless articles (also in Wikipedia).
I tend to agree with Ancient Joe (again this is becoming habit forming) I do believe that some objects do belong to a public collection. However, I do believe that most objects should be open for anyone who wants them to purchase. In my part of the planet I have actually lent coins out to museums so that they could put coins out on display. It is the least i can do to try to promote a hobby that his given me so much enjoyment for over 40 years.
I think that other countries should emulate how the UK does things. I see no harm in adding this provision. Most museums do not have deep pockets and aren’t going to frivolously acquire things to keep them away from collectors. Objects which are truly significant or unique belong in museums (on the condition that they be on display and accessible to the public), not in private collections. I would feel like I was stealing if I had something like that in my collection. Documenting even small finds that stay in private hands, as the UK does, has a ton of scholarly benefit, which is good for all of us. It’s just not possible to do the kind a of studies that you can do with that data in other countries that don’t have that system.
@Clavdivs interesting, thanks for sharing. I am not an expert, but I think the UK has the best system. If I order from an auction or web site in London, I do not worry about receiving the item. Today I am looking at scale weights. I see one I might want, but it is from Cyprus. I am not sure if I order the piece it will pass through customs and make it to me.
