Huge Stash Of Ancient Coins Found

[angelatc]

Apparently burying money in the backyard is nothing new, but I can't believe the guy that found them called the authorities.

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

One of the UK's largest hauls of Iron Age gold coins has been found in Suffolk.

The 824 so-called staters were found in a broken pottery jar buried in a field near Wickham Market using a metal detector.

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

[ihsv]

What the heck is a "treasure trove inquest"? And does that mean the government steals the gold coins and pays the discoverer "less than they were [worth] at the time"?

Sounds like legalized robbery to me.

Also, "stater" (as in "a lover of the state") is an ironic name for a gold piece

[RP2008]

What the heck is a "treasure trove inquest"? And does that mean the government steals the gold coins and pays the discoverer "less than they were [worth] at the time"?

Sounds like legalized robbery to me.

Also, "stater" (as in "a lover of the state") is an ironic name for a gold piece

Basically yes. However, the Treasure Trove Doctrine will not apply (1) if the original owner can be found or (2) If the owner is not found and it is clear that the owner abandoned the treasure.

In which case The law of constructive possession applies (The person who owns the land on which it was found takes possession) or it may be that Finders law applies (The person who found it takes possession). That will depend on the circumstances and the parties challenging for possession.

However, if the treasure was hidden or stored...indicating that the owner wanted to maintain his possessory interests than the crown will have a better claim to the item than the person who "owns" the land or the person who found the object.

I believe you can apply for treasure trove licenses. But, i am not too familiar with that process or any compensation schemes.

All in all a bull$#@! law IMHO.