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Well when the new rules came in, there was a massive increase in reported finds - around tenfold. That seems to indicate the detectorists quite like it, landown

Well when the new rules came in, there was a massive increase in reported finds - around tenfold. That seems to indicate the detectorists quite like it, landowners seem to approve of their share too. There was a news story that beggared belief quite recently of a pair of detectorists who found a major Viking hoard, sold bits piecemeal trying to to go the illicit sale route, but got caught and now face years in prison and no bounty. https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2019/nov/21/detectorists-hid-find-that-rewrites-anglo-saxon-history https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2019/nov/21/detectorists... The biggest problem, that I'm aware of, is in giving a representative commercial value to found treasure trove, many museums struggle to afford. There have been many calls for museums and trusts to get more formal government assistance to pick up major finds, though they can get lottery assistance I think. Here's a piece from nearly 20 years ago, when I think the new rules were still quite recent: https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2002/aug/15/education.arts https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2002/aug/15/education.arts

dsfyu404ed 7y ago
>Well when the new rules came in, there was a massive increase in reported finds - around tenfold. That seems to indicate the detectorists quite like it, landowners seem to approve of their share too. Compliance doesn't mean they like it, just that the risk reward of telling the state to shove it isn't worth telling the state to shove it (after all, this is just a hobby for most people). What I'd like to hear is someone who was metal detecting back before the law change describing how things changed and the pros cons. I googled around but couldn't find anything (which is unsurprising considering how niche this is and the timeline involved).
- simonh 7y ago
  From a practical point of view, the increase in reported finds is a pretty good indicator of success. After all we're balancing the interests of detectorists, land owners and the public. Success isn't necessarily about completely satisfying any of them.
mytailorisrich 7y ago
If an 'antique' gold coin is more valuable than its weight in gold there may be practical benefits in complying with the law as it may be difficult (and less profitable) to sell these coins without the correct paperwork. Indeed, I suppose that any serious dealer will want to check the status of these coins, and any dodgy dealer will buy at a discount.

dsfyu404ed 7y ago

>Well when the new rules came in, there was a massive increase in reported finds - around tenfold. That seems to indicate the detectorists quite like it, landowners seem to approve of their share too. Compliance doesn't mean they like it, just that the risk reward of telling the state to shove it isn't worth telling the state to shove it (after all, this is just a hobby for most people). What I'd like to hear is someone who was metal detecting back before the law change describing how things changed and the pros cons. I googled around but couldn't find anything (which is unsurprising considering how niche this is and the timeline involved).

simonh 7y ago
From a practical point of view, the increase in reported finds is a pretty good indicator of success. After all we're balancing the interests of detectorists, land owners and the public. Success isn't necessarily about completely satisfying any of them.

mytailorisrich 7y ago

If an 'antique' gold coin is more valuable than its weight in gold there may be practical benefits in complying with the law as it may be difficult (and less profitable) to sell these coins without the correct paperwork. Indeed, I suppose that any serious dealer will want to check the status of these coins, and any dodgy dealer will buy at a discount.