The Treasure Act

The Treasure Act 1996 is a UK law that defines what constitutes "treasure" when found by individuals, especially metal detectorists. Under this law, treasure includes items made of gold or silver, and coins that are at least 300 years old. When someone finds treasure, they must report it to the local coroner within 14 days. If deemed treasure, it can be claimed by a museum, which then compensates the finder based on its market value. The act aims to preserve cultural heritage while providing a legal framework for finders and museums to cooperate.