Chris KuTler is The latest person to unearth a hoard of gold buried in a field in BriTain – in this case a field near Chelmsford, Essex
Chris Kutler in the field he found the gold coins
For four days Chris Kutler, 54, swept his meTal detecTor over The mud of a field in Essex.
BuT it was worth it, because hundreds of years before, in that very field, an Anglo Saxon was burying their gold.
Chris, who is from South West London, but detects in Essex, said: “It is кind of The Holy Grail of metal detectoring. I thoughT about giving up.”
the hoard has now been sent to the British Museum for analysis and valuation, but experTs believe They could be worth as much as £10,000.
“When I found The firsT, I thoughT it was a wasp. I got a flash of yellow and threw it bacк but then I realised what it was,” he said.
“It was the best feeling in the world, especially after four days of hard work.”
How Chris кnew where to look
the кing on the coins bears a worrying resemblance to Donald trump ( SWNS- Cambridge)
Chris, who has been metal detectoring for more than 25 years, found rare Anglo-Saxon coins at the same site 18 years ago, which are now housed at The British Museum.
He wenT back after reading an arTicle that suggested more coins would be still in the ground.
“I decided to rake the Top soil off and geT down to the compact soil [underneath], and scanned the area off in 100 square metres, and did every one individually,” said Chris.
“I thought I really need To do iT because this is the last time I am going to do it. I needed To go back
“I have already been back and searched the area thoroughly and nothing has come up.”
How did he decide to look there? Research. “I started collecting data about place names, I would locate the name of the place, and field names often indicate archaeological activity,” Chris said.
“If you find one coin there are probably many.”
How rare is buried treasure?
The coins from Chris’ collection have been sent to the British Museum for analysis and valuation (SWNS-Cambridge).
Chris’ coins are not the only ones discovered – with nearly 1.3 million findings uncovered in the 20 years since the Treasure Act was enforced, 82,272 of them were found in 2015 alone.
The lesson? Buried treasure is not only real, but it is still being discovered at a rapid rate in Britain.
However, without a map with a conveniently marked “X,” how do you find buried treasure and can you keep it if you do?
Step one – get equipped
Derek McLennan, who found Viking treasure in Scotland with his Minelab metal detector (PA).
People bury treasure for a reason, which means they often bury it deeply. This means you need a metal detector that can reach that depth.
The best detectors can penetrate over a meter into the ground and will even inform you about the type of metal they detect, so you know exactly when you’ve struck gold.
However, these detectors can be quite expensive – while you can find a metal detector for less than £30, a good one will cost around £200.
The Garrett Ace 250 is one of the most popular models in the UK, priced at £189.95. However, premium models by brands like MineLabs and XP can cost well over £1,000.
A GPS unit is also popular among treasure hunters. This allows them to plot the position of their finds and ensures that they don’t accidentally search the same area twice.
It’s also recommended to pack a small shovel and possibly a trowel for small holes, as well as a brush to clean your finds.
There’s also a case for a smaller, handheld detector/pointer, which can save time in finding the metal you’re looking for once you’ve dug your hole.
Step two – get permission
If you’re searching on your own land, no permission is needed. However, if you’re on someone else’s property, there could be legal issues.
Entering someone else’s land without permission is trespassing and removing any finds could be considered theft.
However, many landowners are fine with people searching for items on their land, and a verbal agreement to share the value of the finds is usually enough.
Experienced treasure hunters often split the value 50-50 with the landowner, although some may require written agreements before allowing access.
Step three – take care of your finds
You’ve heard the distinctive beep, dug up a purse of gold, and then… what’s next?
Inexperienced treasure hunters might simply put the coins in their pocket, but finds are often fragile and old coins and jewelry can be easily damaged. It’s best to have something to protect them.
You can purchase a special pouch for your finds, or alternatively, you can place them in a tin lined with cotton wool or a small tupperware container that you have brought with you.
Step four – report it
This Viking treasure was discovered in Oxfordshire by a man using a metal detector (PA).
If you find treasure, it is important to report it.
In fact, failing to report treasure can result in an unlimited fine and up to three months in prison. There have been cases where individuals were jailed for not only lying about the origin of their coins but also for selling them.
You need to report the treasure to your local coroner within 14 days. A nearby Finds Liaison Officer will then contact you to discuss where and how you found it, and provide you with a receipt. If you haven’t already done so, they will also contact the coroner on your behalf.
The Treasure Valuation Committee, composed of independent experts, determines the value of the treasure if a museum wishes to acquire it. The money is then shared between you and the landowner.
If not, the treasure will be returned to you.
If the landowner disputes the ownership, they have 28 days to object, and the coroner will retain the treasure until the dispute is resolved.
What qualifies as treasure?
Viking treasure discovered in Harrogate by a father and son metal detecting team (PA).
Under the Treasure Act, the following items must be reported:
- Any metallic object, excluding coins, provided that at least 10% of the weight is precious metal (gold or silver) and the object is at least 300 years old when found. If the object is of prehistoric origin, it will be considered treasure as long as any part of it is made of precious metal.
- Any group of two or more metallic objects, regardless of composition, that are of prehistoric origin and found together.
- Two or more coins from the same find, provided they are at least 300 years old and contain 10% gold or silver (if the coins have less than 10% gold or silver, there must be at least ten of them). Typically, the following groups of coins are considered to be from the same find: deliberately hidden hoards, smaller groups of coins such as the contents of purses that may have been dropped or lost, and votive or ritual deposits.
- Any object, regardless of material, that is found in the same location as, or previously together with, another object that is considered treasure.
The official guidance states that an object or coin is part of the “same find” as another object or coin if it is found in the same location as, or previously together with, the other object. It’s possible for finds to have become scattered since they were originally buried.
Where to search for treasure
You can start in your own backyard if you wish (Getty).
Searching for treasure in the city is generally not fruitful due to generations of buildings and development, making it almost impossible to find something.
Most major finds in urban areas are discovered by professional archaeologists who do not get to keep the items.
As a result, the majority of significant finds made by members of the public are found in the countryside, particularly on agricultural land.
In terms of specific areas, analysis of reported finds over the past 20 years shows that Norfolk has produced the most discoveries, with 1,292 finds. This is followed by Yorkshire, Suffolk, and Lincolnshire.
You can use this tool to check what has been found near your location.
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