Rogue Metal Detectorists On Trial For Stealing $3.6million Treasure

[Deltanimal]

Came across this article earlier today. I hope this isn't a repost, but I think it is good to remember to follow the rules when metal detecting.

https://www.ancient-origins.net/news-general/metal-detectorists-0012674

 

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[SeabeeRon]

Not sure if has been posted here, but I have seen it on another forum. Thanks!

 

[ticndig]

So they buy machines , do the research , secure permission , hunt hunt hunt , find the treasure and are supposed to give it to the guberment ? I guess I'm just a bad person because I'm not giving them anything I find for sure.

 

[SeabeeRon]

So they buy machines , do the research , secure permission , hunt hunt hunt , find the treasure and are supposed to give it to the guberment ? I guess I'm just a bad person because I'm not giving them anything I find for sure.

Different Country, different Laws.

 

[Treasure_Hunter]

So they buy machines , do the research , secure permission , hunt hunt hunt , find the treasure and are supposed to give it to the guberment ? I guess I'm just a bad person because I'm not giving them anything I find for sure.

.....and if you live in United Kingdom and get caught you will get hefty fine and do jail time, same you would get in America if your caught detecting federal battlegrounds.

 

[ticndig]

I only hunt with owners permission . not public or gov land.

ok lets say you found $20.000 in gold coins on your own land, would you guys pay taxes on it ?
would you hand it over to the gruberment ?
or would you keep the treasure as the rightful owner?

 

[ticndig]

I wonder if some of the guys who post here, and live there do this ? Under British law, any archaeological find must be reported “to the local coroner

 

[Madmox]

I only hunt with owners permission . not public or gov land.

ok lets say you found $20.000 in gold coins on your own land, would you guys pay taxes on it ?
would you hand it over to the gruberment ?
or would you keep the treasure as the rightful owner?

In the UK, public or private doesn’t matter. Treasure trove laws apply. Though I did hear that it doesn’t apply to individual coins found, though that may not be correct.

 

[Woodsy]

I wonder what their take would have been if they followed the law and reported it?

 

[piegrande]

I have written very extensively in the Aztec thread on my belief that up to 15 tons of treasure are within a block of where I am sitting right now. In Mexico, all antiquities are Federal Property, period. And Mexican prisons are neither heated or cooled. So, I have not dug one shovel full of dirt, and have no intention of doing so, ever. That treasure has not actual value to anyone.

I have explained this repeatedly in great detail, but still from time to time, people ask why I have not dug for it. Blechhh!!

 

[Honest Samuel]

I only hunt with owners permission . not public or gov land.

ok lets say you found $20.000 in gold coins on your own land, would you guys pay taxes on it ?
would you hand it over to the gruberment ?
or would you keep the treasure as the rightful owner?

As my name, I am honest and pay state and federal income taxes. I may not like where my taxes go, we all have to pay, or off to jail you may go.

 

[Tiredman]

I only hunt with owners permission . not public or gov land.

ok lets say you found $20.000 in gold coins on your own land, would you guys pay taxes on it ?
would you hand it over to the gruberment ?
or would you keep the treasure as the rightful owner?

Ever hear of Blue Laws? If the value is $3 or over it has to be turned in and in places these Blue Laws are still on the books (U.S.).

 

[RustyGold]

One can’t even mudlark on the Thames without an official permit.

 

[ticndig]

never heard of blue laws , won't be looking into it any time soon. I dig ,I keep is the way I hunt .

 

[namxat]

In some jurisdictions, burden for a licence is so high that most people dont even try, private permission doesnt count and if something of value is found the split between Goverment/land owner/finder is 100/0/0.

Well, if make criminalize MDing, people tend to .......


In this case it was GB with sound laws but w/ regard to the two finders I read:


"The police were able to establish this because they found photographs on one of the men’s smartphones. In these, the two men are shown digging out a large number of coins and other pieces of treasure.

Furthermore, the accused allegedly bragged to an antique dealer that they had found a great many coins and also ignored his advice to report them to the authorities. The defendants denied that there was a larger hoard."

Comment: YOU CANT FIX STUPID.

How do you Americans say: Those two have been riding the short bus and have been licking the windows, too.

Greet

Namxat