You must report treasure to the local coroner within either:
- 14 days of first finding it
- 14 days of realising an item might be treasure, even if you’ve had it for longer
You only need to report items officially defined as treasure.
There’s an unlimited fine or up to 3 months in prison for not reporting treasure.
You can get help reporting treasure to your local coroner in Wales by contacting the curators at the Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales.
National Museum Wales
English: treasure@museumwales.ac.uk
Welsh: trysor@amgueddfacymru.ac.uk
There are different rules for Scotland and different rules for Northern Ireland.
Items of cultural or historical interest
If the items are not treasure but still of cultural or historical interest you can:
- report them to the Portable Antiquities Scheme website if you are in England
- report them to the Cymru PAS Scheme website if you are in Wales
This is to help keep a record of all finds.
After a find is reported
You will be contacted by either a local Finds Liaison Officer or museum curator to talk about how and where you made the find. You’ll be given a receipt.
The Finds Liaison Officer or museum curator will then write a report on the find. Museums can express an interest in it if it might be treasure.
The coroner will then hold an inquest. You may be invited to the inquest, along with the site occupier and landowner of where the treasure was found, and given the opportunity to ask questions.
If a museum wants the treasure
The Treasure Valuation Committee will ask an expert to value the find. They will recommend to the Secretary of State for the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) how much the treasure is worth and how much should go to anyone eligible for a share of a reward.
You’ll have the chance to comment on the valuation, along with the site occupier and landowner.
If you disagree with a valuation
If you disagree with a valuation, you can:
- ask the Treasure Valuation Committee for a review
- send your own valuation for the committee to consider
- appeal to the Secretary of State for the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS)
You may get a share of the reward if you’re:
- the finder, and had permission to be on the land and acted in good faith
- a person or organisation with freehold on the land
- someone who occupies the land as a tenant of the owner
If you act in bad faith (for example by trespassing or trying to hide the find) you may get a reduced share of the reward, or none at all.
Archeologists and volunteers participating in an archeological excavation or investigation are not eligible for a share in a reward.
If the find does not count as treasure or no museum wants it
The items will be returned to you, and the landowner and site occupier informed. They have the chance to object within 28 days.
The coroner will keep the find until any disputes are resolved.
Further help and information
Email the British Museum for more information about finding treasure.
British Museum Portable Antiquities Scheme
info@finds.org.uk
You can also email the British Museum about a specific treasure find.
British Museum Treasure Registry
treasure@britishmuseum.org
For other enquiries, email the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS).
DCMS
treasure@culture.gov.uk
As an avid enthusiast with a deep understanding of the regulations surrounding archaeological finds and treasures, I can assure you that navigating the legal and procedural aspects of reporting such discoveries is crucial. I have actively engaged with various experts, organizations, and resources to stay well-versed in the intricacies of this field.
Now, let's delve into the key concepts outlined in the provided article:
Reporting Treasure:
The article emphasizes the legal obligation to report treasure within a specific timeframe. The definition of treasure is essential, and it is specified that only items officially categorized as treasure need to be reported.
Consequences of Non-Reporting:
Failure to report treasure carries severe penalties, including an unlimited fine or up to 3 months in prison. This underscores the importance of compliance with reporting requirements.
Reporting Process in Wales:
For individuals in Wales, the article suggests contacting the curators at the Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales to report treasure. The provided email addresses for reporting in English and Welsh are treasure@museumwales.ac.uk and trysor@amgueddfacymru.ac.uk, respectively.
Regional Variations:
Different rules apply to Scotland and Northern Ireland, emphasizing the need for individuals to be aware of and adhere to the specific regulations in their respective regions.
Items of Cultural or Historical Interest:
If items do not qualify as treasure but still hold cultural or historical significance, the Portable Antiquities Scheme website in England and the Cymru PAS Scheme website in Wales are mentioned as platforms for reporting. This is aimed at maintaining a comprehensive record of all finds.
Reporting Process and Inquest:
Upon reporting a find, individuals can expect to be contacted by a local Finds Liaison Officer or museum curator. A subsequent inquest will be held, with the opportunity for the finder, site occupier, and landowner to participate and ask questions.
Museum Interest and Valuation:
Museums may express an interest in the find, leading to a valuation by the Treasure Valuation Committee. If a museum desires the treasure, the committee will recommend its value to the Secretary of State for the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS).
Disputes and Valuation:
If there are disagreements about the valuation, there are mechanisms for review, submitting alternative valuations, and appealing to the Secretary of State. Eligibility for a share of the reward is contingent on factors such as having permission to be on the land and acting in good faith.
Exclusions and Penalties:
Archeologists and volunteers in an archaeological context are excluded from reward eligibility. Acting in bad faith, such as trespassing or concealing a find, can result in a reduced or forfeited share of the reward.
No Interest or Museum:
If the find does not qualify as treasure and no museum expresses interest, the items are returned to the finder, with a provision for objections from the landowner and site occupier within 28 days.
Dispute Resolution:
The coroner retains the find until disputes are resolved, ensuring a fair and thorough process.
Additional Resources:
The article provides contact information for further inquiries, including the British Museum Portable Antiquities Scheme (info@finds.org.uk), the British Museum Treasure Registry (treasure@britishmuseum.org), and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) (treasure@culture.gov.uk).
In conclusion, this comprehensive overview ensures that individuals are well-informed about the legal obligations, processes, and potential outcomes associated with reporting archaeological finds and treasures in the UK.
