In the UK, under the Treasure Act 1996, finders of potential treasure in England, Wales and Northern Ireland must tell their local coroner or Find Liason Officer (FLO) within two weeks of the discovery, by law, or they could be punished with a fine.

Formal research and tests will then be done by historical experts to see if the items really are treasure.

Under the Treasure Act, there are a few definitions of what treasure is, including prehistoric objects, coins that contain gold or silver and are at least 300 years old, or more recent valuable objects that have been deliberately hidden.

If the find is discovered to be treasure, then the finder must offer it for sale to a museum at a price set by the British Museum’s Treasure Valuation Committee.

A reward is then offered to the treasure finders and other people involved in the discovery.



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