And what country can preserve its liberties if their rulers are not warned from time to time that their people preserve the spirit of resistance? Let them take arms. The remedy is to set them right as to facts, pardon and pacify them. What signify a few lives lost in a century or two? The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants.
Monday, November 25, 2024
Hoard of gold coins discovered by a UK couple under their kitchen floorboards during renovations. The oldest coin dates to 1610, the newest 1727.
Upon discovering what they believe to be treasure, finders have a legal obligation to report their find to the local coroner within 14 days of either the find, or realising it might be classed as treasure. The landowner must also be notified of the find. Failure to do so is a criminal offense, potentially leading to an unlimited fine, a custodial sentence of up to three months, or both. The purpose of this reporting is to assess the find’s historical significance and determine whether it qualifies as treasure under the Act. Once a find is declared treasure it automatically becomes vested in either the Crown or the franchisee of the Crown, if there is one (for example, the Duchy of Cornwall, the Duchy of Lancaster and the Cities of London and Bristol). Then the Treasure Valuation Committee will decide on the value of the treasure and the find must be offered for sale to a museum on behalf of the Crown. This process ensures that important artifacts are preserved for public benefit and research, rather than disappearing into private collections. If the find is sold, then the proceeds are typically shared between the finder, assuming you had permission to be on the land and acted in good faith, and the landowner (who may be a person or organisation). However, there may be additional claims made by someone who occupies the land as a tenant of the owner. If the find is not sold and Crown does not want to retain it, then the rights to it are returned to the finder who may then dispose of it as they see fit, although the landowner has 28 days to object to this. The find of the Newark Torc, an Iron Age necklace netted the finder, Maurice Richardson a reward of £175,000 as a share of the torc’s final sale value. The Torc can be viewed at the National Civil War Centre Museum.
Last I checked, nearly all of the museum artifacts I've ever seen were parts of private collections. Never recall seeing a government museum displaying government-owned artifacts anywhere.
The gold was once part of a private collection (as all of your valuables are). Of course the government would demonize the "private collection" aspect of a treasure find. They don't like competition.
That's the problem with buying a new house. You'll never find something like this. It's why you never hear a story like this in Florida, where only a handful of places are even a hundred years old.
I think I'd do a quick assessment of the value of the gold vs the potential finder's fee. For coins like this, should be fairly easy though not exact. Then be guided by the valuation and your personal inclination to preserve history and go through the process. In this case, unlikely the coins are unique or terribly significant, so a little jewelry furnace would be rather appealing.
One of my wife’s side bfs is a metal detector enthusiast. One time he found a necklace
ReplyDeleteWhat about your boyfriends, LTT?
DeleteGreat. Now the government takes it. Keep your mouth shut when you find things like this. In the UK they any more than three coins is a hoard.
ReplyDeleteI don't think I'd 'a told that one, brother.
ReplyDeletecommie state lays claim!
ReplyDeleteNot entirely true.
DeleteUpon discovering what they believe to be treasure, finders have a legal obligation to report their find to the local coroner within 14 days of either the find, or realising it might be classed as treasure. The landowner must also be notified of the find.
Failure to do so is a criminal offense, potentially leading to an unlimited fine, a custodial sentence of up to three months, or both. The purpose of this reporting is to assess the find’s historical significance and determine whether it qualifies as treasure under the Act.
Once a find is declared treasure it automatically becomes vested in either the Crown or the franchisee of the Crown, if there is one (for example, the Duchy of Cornwall, the Duchy of Lancaster and the Cities of London and Bristol). Then the Treasure Valuation Committee will decide on the value of the treasure and the find must be offered for sale to a museum on behalf of the Crown. This process ensures that important artifacts are preserved for public benefit and research, rather than disappearing into private collections.
If the find is sold, then the proceeds are typically shared between the finder, assuming you had permission to be on the land and acted in good faith, and the landowner (who may be a person or organisation). However, there may be additional claims made by someone who occupies the land as a tenant of the owner.
If the find is not sold and Crown does not want to retain it, then the rights to it are returned to the finder who may then dispose of it as they see fit, although the landowner has 28 days to object to this.
The find of the Newark Torc, an Iron Age necklace netted the finder, Maurice Richardson a reward of £175,000 as a share of the torc’s final sale value. The Torc can be viewed at the National Civil War Centre Museum.
how nice. the government decides on the value.
DeleteDecides the value and then takes the lion's share in tax leaving the discoverer a pittance.
DeleteAs I recall this was found in their home and that was different from finding it in a field...
DeleteLast I checked, nearly all of the museum artifacts I've ever seen were parts of private collections. Never recall seeing a government museum displaying government-owned artifacts anywhere.
DeleteThe gold was once part of a private collection (as all of your valuables are). Of course the government would demonize the "private collection" aspect of a treasure find. They don't like competition.
Another good reason why we said good-bye to Merry old England in 1776
DeleteMelt it down.
ReplyDeleteThat's the problem with buying a new house. You'll never find something like this. It's why you never hear a story like this in Florida, where only a handful of places are even a hundred years old.
ReplyDeletePrepper fail.
ReplyDeleteLoose lips sink ships
ReplyDeleteI think I'd do a quick assessment of the value of the gold vs the potential finder's fee. For coins like this, should be fairly easy though not exact. Then be guided by the valuation and your personal inclination to preserve history and go through the process. In this case, unlikely the coins are unique or terribly significant, so a little jewelry furnace would be rather appealing.
ReplyDelete