"Huge Iron Age haul of coins found"

**a completely inoffensive name** · 01-19-2009, 03:31

Just saw this on the BBC website:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/e...lk/7835228.stm

Very short article, but I posted it just because of its relevance to the EB time period (albeit late).

FTA:
"Jude Plouviez, of the Suffolk County Council Archaeological Service, said the coins dated from 40BC to AD15."

**Antinous** · 01-19-2009, 03:38

**Aemilius Paulus** · 01-19-2009, 05:25

824 gold staters

Wow, that is quite a haul. I wonder who was the lucky guy and what he/she did with the coins. I know that numerous nations have certain rules & regulations regarding the discovery of artifacts, most commonly rules that state one who finds an artifact has to give it to the government for a variable compensation. I don't think UK has such rules, does it? Does 100% of the discovery go to the discoverer?

**antisocialmunky** · 01-19-2009, 06:12

He probably has to pay some taxes on it when he sells it. The only issue that might arise is where he found it(who owns the property).

**We shall fwee...Wodewick** · 01-19-2009, 14:12

WOW. That's a lot of coins, and right on my doorstep. It would be interesting to know the exact location when they can release it. Also, there is a law about treasure and archaeological finds so I think it will depend on who owns the land as well as the discoverer. And I think that they can't negotiate the price. i.e no ripping off museums.

EDIT: It's not the first time coinage has been found here in Suffolk either. Next to your article they have a link to the largest hoard of Roman coins ever found http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/suffolk/4791274.stm

**Mediolanicus** · 01-19-2009, 15:57

Originally Posted by antisocialmunky

He probably has to pay some taxes on it when he sells it. The only issue that might arise is where he found it(who owns the property).

I don't know how it is in the UK, but here in Belgium half is for the finder, half for the owner of the property. There could be one more problem. In the article it says he found the treasure with a metal detector... Again, I don't know about the UK, but here if you go look for it, whatever you find is for the state. Treasury finding is not the same thing as treasure seeking.
I wonder how that turns out. (yeah, that's what law school does to you... keep away, kids

)

**We shall fwee...Wodewick** · 01-19-2009, 16:46

I think if it's large enough to be classed as treasure then they will be compensated for it's value. The legality of using a metal detector is that you MUST have the permission of the landowner to scan on his land. Without this, the finder will get bugger all.

**Aemilius Paulus** · 01-19-2009, 16:58

Originally Posted by Mediolanicus

(yeah, that's what law school does to you... keep away, kids

)

Funny that you say so. I am going to one after university. Yep, another blood-sucking lawyer. A family tradition y'know. So, is there anyone from UK around here who might know what is done with treasure according to UK laws?

**theoldbelgian** · 01-19-2009, 19:35

Originally Posted by Mediolanicus

I don't know how it is in the UK, but here in Belgium half is for the finder, half for the owner of the property. There could be one more problem. In the article it says he found the treasure with a metal detector... Again, I don't know about the UK, but here if you go look for it, whatever you find is for the state. Treasury finding is not the same thing as treasure seeking.
I wonder how that turns out. (yeah, that's what law school does to you... keep away, kids

)

Mmh thats strange I always heard that old coins werent put under treasure but under an archeoligic find and that belongs to the government although I think you get a finders fee but you are the lawyer-in-spe so I am not going for a discussion I cannot dare to hope to win :d