Can I keep treasure if I find it?
Verdict summary
It depends on where you find it. On private land, finds generally belong to the landowner unless you agree otherwise. On US federal land, archaeological objects over 100 years old cannot be removed without a permit. In England and Wales, finds that legally count as treasure must be reported to the coroner and may be acquired by a museum, with a reward shared between finder and landowner.
US states apply different rules to found property and treasure trove, and shipwrecks in state waters usually belong to the state.
In many European countries archaeological finds belong to the state and detecting needs a permit.
Sources: Treasure Act 1996 (England and Wales); Archaeological Resources Protection Act (US); Abandoned Shipwreck Act of 1987 (US).
Is treasure hunting legal? Yes, in most places treasure hunting is legal with permission: on private land with the owner's permission, and on much public land for casual metal detecting and panning. It becomes illegal when you dig in protected sites, remove archaeological objects, detect where it is banned (such as US National Parks), or work someone else's mining claim.
What happens if you find treasure in the UK? The Treasure Act 1996 covers England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Finds that legally count as treasure, mainly gold and silver objects and coin hoards over 300 years old, must be reported to the local coroner within 14 days. A museum may acquire the find, and a reward is usually shared between the finder and the landowner.
Can you metal detect in national parks? No, not in US National Parks: National Park Service rules prohibit possessing or using a metal detector in park areas, and disturbing or removing objects is illegal. National forests and BLM land are different and often allow recreational detecting outside protected sites.
Primary sources cited
- Treasure Act 1996 (England and Wales)
- Archaeological Resources Protection Act (US)
- Abandoned Shipwreck Act of 1987 (US)