Metal Detecting Unreported Finds

[Clofeshoas]

Just had an interesting conversation in the local shop with a local metal detector out here of the last 20yrs. As we got talking I asked him to write down and estimate how many coins have been found from different eras all in Cliffe alone. The list is as follows:

Roman 2000+
Saxon 600+
Later Medieval 4000+
Trading Tokens 800+
Seal matrices 60+

[Bass]

There are at least 9 of the metal detectorists who sell their finds and do not report them.
Two of the 'minor' ones take about £10-15,000 a year and the one major player takes over twice that amount.
Nothing is declared and the land owner does not receive a penny.

These people are nothing more than modern-day grave-robbers!

Note: Not all decrectorists are thieves ~ the detector is a tool and, in the right hands, can be an asset.