The government is proposing to strengthen the Treasure Act to include important finds that do not fit the current legal definition.
Currently only items that are at least 300 years old and made substantially of gold or silver, or which are found with artefacts of precious metals, can be declared ‘treasure’ – and thus offered to a museum for first refusal.
Under the new plans, that definition would be widened to include anything with a value over £10,000. A public consultation is now open on the plans and runs until April 30.