Update on Ludlow Piedfort Seizure

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I asked on the "English Hammered [coin]" discussion list what people there thought of the Ludlow ruling. There Chris Wren pointed out the flaws in the legal argument about this coin. From what he says this creates a worrying precedent, and any coin of the wrong weight (and he cited the famed Coenwulf mancus) could be seized on the same grounds if the British authorities wanted to. Paul Withers says "piedforts are an interesting study, and one which, to my mind has not been explored sufficiently". Once again, the element of subjectivity in determining their function appears. He does point out that a lot of the ones in collections (including he says the BM) are fakes. Anglo-Gallic ones however are found in French hoards, and "most have seen heavy wear, in some cases almost to the point of obliteration [...] must mean that they had some purpose that was exercised frequently [...] these pieces, certainly in the anglo-gallic pantheon, areas rare as the proverbial hen's teeth, so it is difficult to make any pronouncements". This once again raises the question to what degree Ludlow court looked into the question of the function of these coins and just what "expert" opinion was sought (Mr Reavill?).

The Treasure Act is once again revealed to be about getting the plebs to surrender bullion rather than being in any form a measure intended to actually increase our knowledge of and protect the archaeological record. What archaeological purpose was served by snatching this coin in this manner? I venture none.

Some recent comments in the media suggest that this seizure has singularly unimpressed the international audience.

9 year-old British girl finds 700 year-old coin while working in her garden. 14 years later she is convicted in court for keeping the "Treasure" and not handing it over to the government Keywords: Asinine, treasure, British Museum, landmark case, Worcestershire,

More Signs That Britain Is Completely Off The Rails “We’ve come to the point in civilization where you not only have to document every penny you earn that is none of the business of the government, but they can now steal something you discover on your own property if you fail to tell them about it” (comment: "The nation that once was the cradle of our western values of freedom is now the cradle of governmental tyranny and repression").

Backing for coin case woman, 23

and so on. The ACCG bloggers are remaining interestingly silent, what do ACCG collectors think about this lady losing a treasured coin she found on her own property to the gub'nmint under the British law they so praise?

I think British archaeology scored a massive home goal with that one. Let's see the prosecution of a few more nighthawks to offset it.

(The unlucky finder of this coin should not be confused with Kate Hunter the British archaeologist who sadly died recently)