Information for finders
What to do if you make a find
- All finds, whether made by chance, by metal-detecting, fieldwalking or archaeological excavation are the property of the Crown and may be claimed as treasure trove
- If you have found a coin and/or object which is likely to be of historical or archaeological interest or importance you must report it for treasure trove assessment.
- If you are not sure what type of find should be reported please contact the Treasure Trove Unit (TTU) for advice in the first instance.
- It is important not to dismiss a find if you don't know what it is. The most unpromising find can turn out to be an important missing piece of the past.
- The Case archive shows examples of recent finds which have been claimed as treasure trove and details of the museums to which they have been allocated.
- Download and complete a reporting form
- email it to: info@treasuretrovescotland.co.uk
- or post it to the TTU
- or telephone and ask for a form to be sent to you
- If you have a digital image of the find you have made it is very helpful to include this as an email attachment or as a hard copy along with your form.
- The TTU will contact you to acknowledge receipt of your form
- If the find is suitable for further assessment or for recording purposes, arrangements will be made with you for the find to be delivered to the TTU.
- If the find is not appropriate for treasure trove purposes (eg Victorian and modern coins, Victorian and modern horse gear, brasses, buckles and fragments of machinery etc,) you will be advised.
- Finds which are not claimed by the Crown are returned to the finder by the along with an individually numbered certificate stating that the Crown is not exercising its right to claim.
- Please do not clean or apply substances such as wax or lacquer etc to coins or objects you have found. Rewards will be reduced or waived for finds which have been treated and/or damaged by cleaning or the application of such substances.
- Please consult Treatment of finds page for information.
- Under the Dealing in Cultural Objects (Offences) Act 2003, it is a criminal offence to remove any coin or object from Scotland, see http://www.hmso.gov.uk/acts/acts2003/20030027.htm
- Finders should make themselves familiar with the Legal position relating to treasure trove in Scotland where finds are the property of the Crown, not the finder or the landowner.
- Under Section 42 of the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act (1979) it is a criminal offence to use a metal detector on a scheduled ancient monument or a monument in the guardianship of the State. It is also an offence to remove from such a monument any object of archaeological or historical interest found using a metal detector. If in any doubt as to whether a site is scheduled you should check with Historic Scotland or the landowner.