Coin hoard discoverers back stricter treasure regulations

Detectorists behind Jersey’s record coin hoard support new treasure reporting law

Two metal detectorists who uncovered nearly 70,000 Iron Age coins in Jersey say new legislation will make it simpler to declare and assess important historical finds.

Under the updated rules, anyone in the island who discovers a potentially significant archaeological object must notify Jersey Heritage and provide the location within 14 days.

Richard Miles and Reg Mead found the Le Câtillon II hoard — containing thousands of Celtic coins along with gold and silver ingots and jewellery — buried in a field in Grouville in 2012.

Miles said the changes would ensure discoveries are handled properly. He added that, in the past, there had been no legal obligation to report items believed to be archaeologically important.

The Draft Heritage Law establishes a formal system for reporting, documenting, investigating and protecting sites and objects of historical value. Those who fail to declare finds could face unlimited fines and up to a year in prison, while submitting false information could lead to a sentence of up to two years.

Miles and Mead, who discovered what is considered the world’s largest Celtic coin hoard, have long campaigned for clearer rules governing such finds. Miles said he had pushed for tighter regulations for more than three decades to ensure both landowners and finders understood their rights and responsibilities.

He stressed the law applies broadly — not only to hobby detectorists but also to property owners who might uncover artefacts ranging from ancient relics to wartime remains.

The legislation also introduces a reward system, with payments shared between the finder and the landowner and calculated using expert valuations tied to market prices.

Miles said the reforms would help guarantee that important artefacts are professionally excavated, recorded and preserved.

“There’s little value in discovering something if it isn’t properly documented for everyone’s benefit,” he said, adding that the aim was to protect heritage for future generations rather than personal profit.