09-24-2009, 07:36 PM
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.