Treasure laws

Metal detectorists love to find historically significant things and, thanks to our land’s rich history, it is possible to have some thrilling finds. It’s important that finds of cultural significance are protected and preserved for the benefit of the nation. There are different treasure laws across the United Kingdom.

England, Wales, Northern Ireland

A legal definition of treasure is found within the Treasure Act 1996. In short, treasure is:

• Any metallic object that is at least 300 years old and made from at least 10% precious metal – this does not include coins.

• Any prehistoric object where any part is made from precious metal.

• Two or more prehistoric metallic objects of any composition that come from the same find.

• 2 or more coins that are at least 300 years old and contain 10% gold or silver.

• 10 or more coins of any metal • Any object, of any composition, that is found in the same place as objects considered to be treasure.

• Objects that are less than 300 years old, that are made substantially of gold or silver, that have been deliberately hidden with the intention of recovery and whose owners or heirs are unknown.

• Any metallic object that is more than 200 years old and is of National or Regional significance.

• Watch our Finding Treasure video which explains the treasure process for England and Wales and includes interviews from metal detectorists who have found treasure. 

In the UK treasure objects are Crown property and do not belong to the finder or landowner. Finders have a responsibility for the safekeeping of treasure objects until they are handed over to a relevant authority, such as a Finds Liaison Officer (FLO) or museum.

An object/coin is part of the ‘same find’ if it is found in the same place as another object/coin or if they had been buried together previously before being scattered. If the owner can be traced, then it is not considered to be treasure.

Northern Ireland
While Northern Ireland has the same treasure laws as England and Wales, there is an additional law that prohibits the use of detectors to search for antiquities. In Northern Ireland any digging or excavation to search for archaeological objects requires a licence from the Department for Communities, through its Historic Environment Division (HED) under Article 41 of the Historic Monuments and Archaeological Objects (NI) Order 1995.

Article 41 licences are generally only issued to archaeological professionals as part of valid archaeological projects that have been agreed in advance with the Historic Environment Division. For further information see the Historic Environment Division

Scotland
The Scottish definition of treasure is supported by Scottish Law and is described by Treasure Trove Scotland.

Any portable antiquity, no matter their age or material, is the property of the Crown and may be claimed as Treasure Trove and must be reported. Modern objects, like Victorian coins and machinery fragments do not need to be reported.

If the find is confirmed as Treasure Trove, the finder will be offered an ex-gratia payment and the object allocated to a museum to be made accessible for public display and research.

If the find is not claimed as Treasure Trove, it is returned to the finder along with a certificate formally disclaiming the item.

England, Wales and Northern Ireland

You must legally report all treasure finds to a coroner for the district in which they are found

• either within 14 days after the day on which you made the discovery or

• within 14 days after the day on which you realised the find might be treasure

In England, contact your local Finds Liaison Officer (FLO), who can assist you in determining whether a find is potentially treasure and can report the find to the coroner on your behalf. In Wales, contact your local FLO or Amgueddfa Cymru/ National Museum Wales. If you fail to report an item you can receive a 3-month prison sentence, a heavy fine and lose all or part of the treasure reward. Visit: FLO Contacts

You can also take your find to a museum for examination and if they determine that it might be treasure, they will report it to the local coroner on your behalf.

Watch our video for more help and advice: The Treasure Process – What happens when you find treasure. 

Scotland

• You should report the find to the Treasure Trove Unit as quickly as possible. Forms can be downloaded from their website. Where possible include images of the find.

• You should record where the object(s) were found as accurately as possible. Please reduce any potential damage to the object(s).

• Hand in the object(s) to the Treasure Trove Unit at the National Museum of Scotland, with your local museum or local authority archaeologist.
Visit: Treasure Trove Scotland