Massive Roman/Saxon Site - Day 10 - TREASURE!

[CRUSADER]

This year it's hard to think of a day that we put a foot wrong, & today this field surprised us again! The weather is still mild but the overnight rain kept the field very sticky & unworkable in some areas.
This time it was Cru'Dad & the Cortes time to strike back at my recent great finds...

10 Roman Coins
17th C Spur Buckle
14th C Buckle
2 Jettons
Small piece of 6th C Saxon Brooch

Dad got a Saxon/Viking Silver Ingot. These are extyremely rare in our area & although I had one a couple of years ago, it was only the 2nd provenanced example (in our county). This now being the 3rd!
This will end up in a Museum as it is the sort of Treasure find that will get snapped up.
Dad & I have a theory about this one. Although this is speculation, as it is out of context, this is what we think. We have found no other evidence of Viking activity (although you can't rule out a random loss). We are on a Saxon site which has produced a number of Sceats. This type of ingot has been record as early as the 5th C & also in Viking hoards of the 8th-11th C. The weight of this one is just over 10g which would make it 10 Sceats worth but only 6.5 Viking Pennies worth, so to us to seems logically that its a little known Early Saxon period Ingot.

So Dad & I are both in the Silver Ingot Club.

 

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[HCW]

Banner find.
But most of what you guys find are banner to us over here.

 

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[CRUSADER]

Dad knows its banner worthy but we all know the rules, as a non-member he is out of the running, & that is all fine.

Rob & SS,
I understand where your coming from because the one I handed in was unfairly priced. It was about £85 for a heavier one than this & in some ways better shaped. I provided them with evidence of a similar one selling for £180 in 2010 which had none of the prevenance that mine had, in fact ours was the first GPSed example.They paid no attention to my objections. I ended up giving up my half of the money to the farmer to equal what I believe his 'fair' half to be. As you know, its not about the money for me its the principal. It's something the British Museum should be worried about because it does put people off when your unfair with prices.

 

[robfinds]

Dad knows its banner worthy but we all know the rules, as a non-member he is out of the running, & that is all fine.

Rob & SS,
I understand where your coming from because the one I handed in was unfairly priced. It was about £85 for a heavier one than this & in some ways better shaped. I provided them with evidence of a similar one selling for £180 in 2010 which had none of the prevenance that mine had, in fact ours was the first GPSed example.They paid no attention to my objections. I ended up giving up my half of the money to the farmer to equal what I believe his 'fair' half to be. As you know, its not about the money for me its the principal. It's something the British Museum should be worried about because it does put people off when your unfair with prices.

What about this Cru, for the silver Tudor whistle I declared, was awarded £130 split two ways. Just seen a lesser example recently sold for £2,000 plus commision. it certainly is about the principal.

 

[CRUSADER]

What about this Cru, for the silver Tudor whistle I declared, was awarded £130 split two ways. Just seen a lesser example recently sold for £2,000 plus commision. it certainly is about the principal.

They used to be very fair, in some cases over pricing, but recently they have missed the mark. I will always hand them in as the Law dictates as thats just part of who we are & why farmers trust us. As it happens I know the Museum it will likely end up in & in some ways having my example next to Dads in the same Museum is a fitting place for these rare objects. It is also something we don't have a strong attachment to, other objects like Staters would be a hard loss.

 

[Silver Searcher]

Dad knows its banner worthy but we all know the rules, as a non-member he is out of the running, & that is all fine.

Rob & SS,
I understand where your coming from because the one I handed in was unfairly priced. It was about £85 for a heavier one than this & in some ways better shaped. I provided them with evidence of a similar one selling for £180 in 2010 which had none of the prevenance that mine had, in fact ours was the first GPSed example.They paid no attention to my objections. I ended up giving up my half of the money to the farmer to equal what I believe his 'fair' half to be. As you know, its not about the money for me its the principal. It's something the British Museum should be worried about because it does put people off when your unfair with prices.

Yes they put people off. I waited nearly two years with the stirrup ring and provided prices from a specialist in ancient rings, they took no notice and placed there own valuation on it, and if you turn down the first offer the time process takes even longer.

SS

 

[Silver Searcher]

What about this Cru, for the silver Tudor whistle I declared, was awarded £130 split two ways. Just seen a lesser example recently sold for £2,000 plus commision. it certainly is about the principal.

Not seen one fair valuation from the Treasure act yet, the Staffordshire hoard was grossly undervalued, I would have to be hard pushed to declare anything in the future.

SS

 

[pepperj]

It must be very hard for some to see common ground when it comes to the value of of a find. There's so many variables to a treasure, as is there a drawer full of them, or will it bring folks through the door to increase the BM presence.
The monetary value of the item will be one of the greatest deciding factors and the amount of time it takes to process the find through the act. I understand there is an appeal process that a person can go through for a greater gain. If this is hard to deal with then the whole process is about the monetary gain, and that's what it is. It has been said that the BM pays the Flo a lowly rate so where is the loyalty and if a person is struggling in life it's hard to put their best foot forward in the work they do.
It's just me but I feel that just finding the object after it's been hiding in the soils for hundreds or thousands of years is a reward in it self, anything else and the time it takes to process the find is gravy to me.
Then again the Staffordshire Hoard turned out what it was, it must of changed a few peoples lives for the better, it provided countless dreams in the heads of us dreamers and that alone is priceless. Then again a £3.285 million that was split between the finder and owner wasn't a shabby day, as it was all gravy.

 

[jewelerguy]

super cool

 

[Silver Searcher]

It must be very hard for some to see common ground when it comes to the value of of a find. There's so many variables to a treasure, as is there a drawer full of them, or will it bring folks through the door to increase the BM presence.
The monetary value of the item will be one of the greatest deciding factors and the amount of time it takes to process the find through the act. I understand there is an appeal process that a person can go through for a greater gain. If this is hard to deal with then the whole process is about the monetary gain, and that's what it is. It has been said that the BM pays the Flo a lowly rate so where is the loyalty and if a person is struggling in life it's hard to put their best foot forward in the work they do.
It's just me but I feel that just finding the object after it's been hiding in the soils for hundreds or thousands of years is a reward in it self, anything else and the time it takes to process the find is gravy to me.
Then again the Staffordshire Hoard turned out what it was, it must of changed a few peoples lives for the better, it provided countless dreams in the heads of us dreamers and that alone is priceless. Then again a £3.285 million that was split between the finder and owner wasn't a shabby day, as it was all gravy.

peperJ I think you might be missing the point here regarding the Treasure act, please don't take this the wrong way because I have the greatest respect for you as a long time member here, BUT the the laws regarding treasure here are souley in the favour of the state, there are no appeals, yes you can appeal against a valuation but most don't, because of the further time delay(which they bank on ) it's you take this as we state it,or do with out. Basically they tie you up with time and red tape, prolonging the out come. Yes I agree it all about the history and recovering the lost for every one to admire, but why should you not receive the correct reward for your efforts as well, this is the point of what I was trying to convey, and this is what is pi$$ing finders off.
And because of the unfair outcome, and the amount of time it takes, a lot of finds will never see the light of day. I'm all for adding to the knowledge of ancient finds and contex, but hard work and the find of a life time should also rewarded FAIRLY.

SS

 

[CRUSADER]

peperJ I think you might be missing the point here regarding the Treasure act, please don't take this the wrong way because I have the greatest respect for you as a long time member here, BUT the the laws regarding treasure here are souley in the favour of the state, there are no appeals, yes you can appeal against a valuation but most don't, because of the further time delay(which they bank on ) it's you take this as we state it,or do with out. Basically they tie you up with time and red tape, prolonging the out come. Yes I agree it all about the history and recovering the lost for every one to admire, but why should you not receive the correct reward for your efforts as well, this is the point of what I was trying to convey, and this is what is pi$$ing finders off.
And because of the unfair outcome, and the amount of time it takes, a lot of finds will never see the light of day. I'm all for adding to the knowledge of ancient finds and contex, but hard work and the find of a life time should also rewarded FAIRLY.

SS

I think you are coming from difference angles but are not in disagreement.

If we all step back from the bad experiences & I have had a few with them including the time it takes, then I think we can all agree we have probably 'the best' Laws relating to detecting in the World.(there are anti-campaigns stating they have gone too far in our favour) What is not happening well is how they currently 'administer' them. As you say the time is too long & some valuation are way off.
The first is easy to fix, I believe there should be a fast track system for any low value/low historical find/common object to be quickly evaluated as not wanted & therefore returned within 3 months. This will free up time for the important stuff & speed up those as well to under the 12 months that 'they' quote in their good practice guide.
Second is an independant Review Panel who look at 'appeals'. Because as you state most people do not either want to wait even longer or pay for an independant valuation (which is expensive for most people).

We have to make this work for future generations because if we are not careful the Law WILL change & not in our favour. We only have to look at what recently happened to Germany (ask Westfront, its stepped back to Medieval Laws, where the finder has no rights & nor does the Landowner), & what may happen to France. If we can't show the benefits on both sides then its us that losses the most enjoyable hobby we have because we can all see the power of the EU on us.

My point is, there are countries lobbing for our type Laws, if we openly state they are not working, it will give fuel to the anti's. We owe it to everyone that detects to sell the benefits, trust me we are being watched.