Writing to the Coroner

Once a decision has been made regarding the disposition of the find, the Treasure Section at the British Museum or the National Museum Wales will write to the Coroner with this information. A copy of the letter to the Coroner, along with a copy of the report, will be sent to the finder and landowner.

If a museum expresses an interest in acquiring the find, the Coroner will be asked to hold an inquest. An exception to this is when the finder, landowner and occupier (if relevant) agree to forego their right to a reward for the find. If those parties agree to forego their reward at this stage, the Treasure Section will disclaim the Crown's interest in the find and it will be able to go directly to the appropriate museum.

If no museum wishes to acquire the find, the Treasure Section at the British Museum will write to the Coroner and inform him/her that the Crown's interest in the find is 'disclaimed'. This happens in more than 50% of Treasure cases. The Coroner will be asked to write to the landowner to inform him/her that the intention is for the find to be returned to the finder, and ask the landowner to respond within 28 days if they do not wish the find to be returned to the finder. If the landowner objects to the find being returned to the finder, the landowner and finder will need to agree what will happen to the find. It cannot be released (except in the case of a court order) until both parties agree where it should go. Once a disclaimed find is returned the case is closed.

If the advice for the Coroner is that the find is Not Treasure, the find will be returned and the case closed.