19 March 2026

The Treasure Act Explained: What Every Detectorist Needs to Know

You've just pulled a gold coin from the soil. Your heart's pounding, your hands are shaking. But wait - what do you actually do now? The Treasure Act 1996 governs exactly this moment, and understanding it isn't just good practice. It's the law.

Too many detectorists don't fully understand their legal obligations. Get it wrong and you could face prosecution, lose your find, and damage the hobby's reputation. Get it right and you could be handsomely rewarded while contributing to our understanding of British history.

What Counts as Treasure?

Under the Treasure Act 1996 (amended in 2023), an object is legally Treasure if it meets any of these criteria:

Any object over 300 years old containing at least 10% precious metal (gold or silver) by weight
Two or more coins from the same find that are over 300 years old and contain at least 10% precious metal
Ten or more coins from the same find that are over 300 years old (regardless of metal content)
Any object found with Treasure that would otherwise qualify (known as "associated finds")
Any object designated by the Secretary of State as being of outstanding historical importance

            The 2023 Amendment: The Treasure (Designation) Order 2023 expanded the definition to include significant base-metal objects of historical importance. This means bronze Age axes, Iron Age torcs, and medieval artefacts can now be classified as Treasure even without precious metal content.
        

The 14-Day Rule

This is the crucial bit. If you find something that might be Treasure, you have a legal obligation to report it within 14 days to your local coroner or Finds Liaison Officer (FLO). Not 15 days. Not "when you get around to it." Fourteen days.

Failure to report is a criminal offence punishable by up to three months in prison or a fine of up to £5,000. More importantly, it destroys the archaeological context and our chance to learn from the find.

The Inquest Process

Once reported, your find goes through the Treasure process:

Step 1: Report to your FLO or local coroner with location details (GPS coordinates are ideal)
Step 2: The find is examined by the British Museum or National Museum Wales
Step 3: A coroner's inquest determines if it's legally Treasure
Step 4: If declared Treasure, museums have the option to acquire it
Step 5: An independent Treasure Valuation Committee sets a fair market price
Step 6: The reward is split between finder and landowner

The process typically takes 12-24 months. Patience required.

The Reward Split

Here's where your written agreement with the landowner matters. The standard arrangement is 50/50 between finder and landowner, but this should be agreed in writing before you detect.

No Agreement = Problems: Without a written agreement, you could face disputes over who gets what. Some landowners try to claim 100%. Some detectorists try to hide finds. Both approaches are wrong. Always get it in writing before you start swinging.

At Just One More Field, our membership structure handles this cleanly: 50% to the landowner, 25% to the finder, 25% to the members' pool. Everyone wins, no arguments.

What About Non-Treasure Finds?

Even if your find isn't Treasure, you should still record it with the Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS). This is voluntary but strongly encouraged. Every Roman brooch, medieval buckle, and Tudor button adds to our understanding of the past.

Recording with PAS also builds your credibility as a responsible detectorist, making landowners more likely to grant permission.

Practical Tips

Always carry your phone - photograph finds in situ with GPS location before removing
Know your local FLO - they're friendly, helpful, and genuinely interested in your finds
Keep a detecting diary - date, location, conditions, and finds for every session
When in doubt, report - let the experts decide if it's Treasure
Never clean gold or silver finds - you might damage them and reduce value

The Bottom Line

The Treasure Act exists to ensure significant finds end up in museums where everyone can enjoy them, while fairly rewarding the people who discover them. It's a good system, and it works - but only if we all play by the rules.

Every time you dig responsibly, report properly, and follow the law, you're representing the entire detecting community. That matters more than any single find.

Now get out there, swing that coil, and if you find something golden - you know exactly what to do.

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