holy J.Lo & Saints Be Praised!....that is the largest BOOTY I've ever seen.....

[Paul F.]

Found this quote about the finder getting a share;

The hoard was officially declared treasure by a coroner, which means it will now be valued by a committee of experts and offered up for sale to a museum. Proceeds would be split 50-50 between Herbert and his farmer friend, who has not been identified. The find's exact location is being kept secret to deter looters.

Bland said he could not give a precise figure for the worth of the hoard, but he said the treasure hunter could be in line for a "seven-figure sum."

Also, the Staffordshire Hoard already has a web site;
http://www.staffordshirehoard.org.uk/

[vision63]

Good for history's sake. That's cool.

[decay]

[Racer X]

Paul F. wrote:
As I recall, British law does allow for "fair compensation" to the finder in many cases... but I don't know the specifics.

I do remember reading that British law is FAR more reasonable to metal detectorists and amateur archaeologists that US law is...
Had it been found HERE, not only would he not be allowed to keep so much as a single coin, but in most cases, he'd be serving prison time for it... ususally on some charge like "disturbing an archaeological site" even if he turned it up in his back yard while digging a post hole..

I think Mel Fisher got 50% of 50% for much of the 1715 Platte fleet. Big half went to the USA, and the 25% cut went to the state of Florida, whose territorial waters most of the ships were in. He got around lots of the taxes by starting a non-profit museum, donating the booty, and the museum employs him. IIRC. But his son and others died during the salvage, so there was a terrible cost to him for finding the fleet.

[Paul F.]

They fscked Mel Fisher, big time...

I REALLY like what I've heard about Englands "Treasure Trove" Laws... they don't PUNISH people for finding things!
Sure, there are requirements to protect the archaeological significance of finds, and reporting, and taxes, etc...
But they allow people to be compensated for their finds!
Unlike US law, where more often than not, the Government (Federal, State, or Local) claims it ALL.

[Racer X]

That was why he got smart and set up the museum/foundation.