Coin hoard finders welcome tighter treasure laws

Two detectorists who unearthed almost 70,000 Iron Age coins in Jersey have welcomed new laws making it easier to report and value treasure.

The new law requires islanders to report any possible archaeological finds and their locations to Jersey Heritage within 14 days.

Richard Miles and Reg Mead discovered Le Catillon II hoard which included gold and silver ingots and jewellery, in a field in Grouville, Jersey, in 2012.

Miles said: "This law encompasses everything and will make sure these things are looked after in an appropriate way."

Previously any person who discovered an object thought to have archaeological significance was not required to report the find.

The Draft Heritage Law has created a statutory framework for the reporting, recording, investigation and preservation of objects and sites of archaeological significance.

The law means anyone who fails to report their finds could face unlimited fines and up to 12 months in prison and anyone who knowingly provides false or misleading information when making a report could face up to two years in prison.

Miles said he had wanted to see tighter regulations on discoveries in Jersey for more than 30 years.

"We just wanted to make sure there was a fair system in place so that if you were a landowner or finder, it was clear what happens," he said.

"It's not all about metal detectorists, it's about anyone who owns property and what rights they have to things found on their land.

"That goes for whether they are antiquities or things from the second world war or whatever they may be.

"It's just about making sure the system is fair for everybody."

The law has introduced a reward scheme to be shared between the finder and the landowner.

Rewards will be determined based on expert advice and linked to market value.

Miles said the change would make sure finds are looked after in an appropriate way.

"It covers things like archaeological licence excavation and proper reporting," he said.

"There's little point in finding things if it's not properly recorded for the benefit of everybody

"It's not for personal gain, but it's about these things that mean so much to us and our heritage and our past and to save them for future generations."

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