Roman Hoard Found By Metal Detectorist In UK - Declared Treasure Trove

It must be great to live in the UK and own a metal detector. Recorded history goes back 2,000 years or more. Roman and Celtic coins are found on a regular basis.

On the other hand, the city I live in was founded in 1872. The oldest coin I can reasonably expect to find with my metal detector is maybe 150 years old.

Anyway, a metal detectorist in South Devon discovered a hoard of 243 copper Roman coins from the reign of Valentinian (circa 330 to 378 AD).

Rare Roman coins a 'find of a lifetime'

In the UK when ancient artifacts like this are discovered they must be turned over to authorities who decide if they are of historic significance. If so, the artifacts are kept by the state and a value calculated for them. The value of the artifacts is paid to the finder and land owner (split evenly). If the artifacts are not of historical significance they are returned to the finder (who, I suppose, splits them with the land owner).

 

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very cool! I used to love living in New England when i was growing up.. sure the history there only goes back a couple hundred years .. but living in Michigan now, well, the contrast is evident!

You are right with the UK though ... and there are other countries as well .... what a history there is for such finds!

 

What a great find :thumb: One thing though finds like this are not automaticly taken by the state first they must (by law) be reported to the local corenor or the liason officer of the Portable Antiquities Scheme, after this is done a decision will be made as to it's rairity. If the find is a rare one then it can be declaired treasure trove and if a museam wants it they will have to pay the finder/landowner full market value. here is a link to The Portable Antiquities Scheme

http://www.finds.org.uk/treasure/

The law is different in Northen Ireland and Scotland :smile

Anything found in the sea or sea shore is not classed as treasure it is called wreck, but must be reported to the Receiver of Wreck

 

I would be SOOOOOOO mad.

 

cool find, shame he wont get to keep it...they should give him a few coins just to be nice.