Man's Metal Detector to Be Destroyed over Coin Theft
In the News
Metal detecting isn't quite as straight forward as you might think
This person kept 23 of the more than 900 iron age coins he found in a farmers field and was fined and had his metal detector destroyed
Apparently you have to follow the 'Code of Practice for Responsible Metal Detecting in England and Wales (2017)' which states all treasure must be declared , reporting all archaeological finds to the relevant landowner/occupier; and making it clear to the landowner that you wish to record archaeological finds to the Portable Antiquities Scheme, so the information can pass into the local Historic Environment Record
So before you even start you need to get the farmers permission if using it on his property and if you find anything valuable you are not automatically guaranteed anything with it being his property unless you sign an agreement beforehand , and then its up to the authorities what you might receive as a reward
My husband hobby is local archaeology and he knows about the complexities of dealing with land owners. There is one site they were only allowed to do a drone survey, no test pits.
He always goes into a rant about metal detectors destroying context. Although he does recognise the merit of metal detectors, for helping to identify where to dig.
They have different laws in other countries B, in spain you can only use a metal detector on the beach, its illegal elsewhere
You would expect this to be the case in italy too with its rich roman history, but you are allowed to use it on terra firma in certain places
I suppose there has to be rules about this otherwise every tom **** and harry would be digging up the earth everywhere and destroying precious artefacts
TerenceMealing Whoops , i must have used a rude word unintentionally, i have had it starred !
I should have said every tom richard and harry 
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