To encourage responsible behaviour by finders, the likely market value of each Treasure find is established by the independent Treasure Valuation Committee.
The Committee is made up of experts in the various types of antiquity likely to be inspected, an official from the leading metal detectorist body, and an expert on museums and their collections.
It values each Treasure find on the basis of willing buyer/willing seller, and expects Treasure finds to have only had a light cleaning to help its identification. The finder, the find site owner, and the acquiring museum are informed of the valuation.
Once all parties have accepted the valuation, the museum is invoiced for the agreed amount.
As soon as the Crown receives the agreed valuation, ownership of the Treasure item passes to the museum, and it is this sum which is then made as ex gratia payments for the finder and the find site owner.
Who are the members of the Treasure Valuation Committee?
Professor Lord Renfrew of Kaimsthorn. Chairman.
Senior Fellow of the McDonald Institute for Archaeological Research.
David Dykes
Expert in Medieval coins and formerly the head of the National Museum of Wales. Currently serves on the board of the British Numismatic Society. He has been appointed for a four year term, to last until 17 October 2014.
John Cherry
Former keeper:Romano British Antiquities at the British Museum
Peter Clayton
Writer, Lecturer and expert on ancient archaeological artefacts
Trevor Austin
The General Secretary of the National Council for Metal Detecting. This role allows him to liaise between the Committee and finders of Treasure, who are overwhelmingly metal detector users. He was appointed to the Committee in December 2003. He was re-appointment in March 2009.
Ian Carradice
(University of St. Andrews, expert on Roman coins).
Tim Pestell
(Keeper of Archaeology at Norwich Castle Museum)
Ms Hetty Gleave.
Partner at Hunters Solicitors, in Lincolns Inn, Specialist in Cultural property law.
The Committee is made up of experts in the various types of antiquity likely to be inspected, an official from the leading metal detectorist body, and an expert on museums and their collections.
It values each Treasure find on the basis of willing buyer/willing seller, and expects Treasure finds to have only had a light cleaning to help its identification. The finder, the find site owner, and the acquiring museum are informed of the valuation.
Once all parties have accepted the valuation, the museum is invoiced for the agreed amount.
As soon as the Crown receives the agreed valuation, ownership of the Treasure item passes to the museum, and it is this sum which is then made as ex gratia payments for the finder and the find site owner.
Who are the members of the Treasure Valuation Committee?
Professor Lord Renfrew of Kaimsthorn. Chairman.
Senior Fellow of the McDonald Institute for Archaeological Research.
David Dykes
Expert in Medieval coins and formerly the head of the National Museum of Wales. Currently serves on the board of the British Numismatic Society. He has been appointed for a four year term, to last until 17 October 2014.
John Cherry
Former keeper:Romano British Antiquities at the British Museum
Peter Clayton
Writer, Lecturer and expert on ancient archaeological artefacts
Trevor Austin
The General Secretary of the National Council for Metal Detecting. This role allows him to liaise between the Committee and finders of Treasure, who are overwhelmingly metal detector users. He was appointed to the Committee in December 2003. He was re-appointment in March 2009.
Ian Carradice
(University of St. Andrews, expert on Roman coins).
Tim Pestell
(Keeper of Archaeology at Norwich Castle Museum)
Ms Hetty Gleave.
Partner at Hunters Solicitors, in Lincolns Inn, Specialist in Cultural property law.