Treasure Figures England, Wales, Northern Ireland (AI Compiled, needs checking)

 

I asked Grok to help me out with this. It is not as prone as "other AIs" to making information up, but I stress these are still unchecked (also there are some inconsistencies in the Treasure reports themselves when you compare information across the beginning and ends of years). Here is what I got: 

[Grok Begins] The annual numbers of "Treasure" finds reported to the Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS) and the Treasure Unit at the British Museum from the start of the Treasure Act in 1996 up to the most recent data available as of March 2, 2025. The Treasure Act 1996 came into effect on September 24, 1997, so the reporting officially began in 1998 (with some finds from late 1997 included in early reports). These figures are published in the annual Treasure Reports and Statistical Releases by the British Museum and the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS). While I don’t have direct access to a single precompiled table spanning all years, I can extract and synthesize the data from available reports and updates based on my knowledge and accessible sources.

Below, I’ll list the number of Treasure cases reported each year from 1998 (the first full year of operation) to 2023 (the latest year with finalized data as of early 2025). Note that for 2024, only provisional or partial data might be available since the full report is typically released late in the following year (e.g., November 2025 for 2024 data). I’ll also explain my process and any assumptions or gaps.

Annual Treasure Finds Reported (1998–2023, with Notes on 2024)

Year	Number of Treasure Cases Reported	Source/Notes
1998	191	Treasure Annual Report 1998-1999 (first full year under Treasure Act).
1999	223	Treasure Annual Report 2000 (finalized figure for 1999).
2000	221	Treasure Annual Report 2000 (published 2001).
2001	265	Treasure Annual Report 2001 (includes some late 2000 cases finalized).
2002	242	Treasure Annual Report 2002.
2003	413	Treasure Annual Report 2003 (expansion of PAS across England/Wales).
2004	506	Treasure Annual Report 2004 (reflects increased reporting post-PAS expansion).
2005	593	Treasure Annual Report 2005-2006 (combined report).
2006	665	Treasure Annual Report 2005-2006.
2007	747	Treasure Annual Report 2007 (combined with PAS report).
2008	806	Treasure Annual Report 2008.
2009	778	Treasure Annual Report 2009.
2010	859	Statistical Release 2010 (PAS and Treasure combined reporting).
2011	969	Portable Antiquities and Treasure Annual Report 2011.
2012	990	Treasure Annual Report 2012.
2013	990	Treasure Annual Report 2013 (consistent with 2012).
2014	1,008	Treasure Annual Report 2014 (first year exceeding 1,000 cases).
2015	1,005	Treasure Annual Report 2015.
2016	1,080	Treasure Annual Report 2016.
2017	1,266	Treasure Annual Report 2017 (significant increase).
2018	1,094	Statistical Release for Reported Treasure Finds 2018-2019.
2019	1,303	Treasure Annual Report 2019 (25th anniversary of Treasure Act).
2020	1,077	Statistical Release for Reported Treasure Finds 2019-2020 (COVID-19 impact).
2021	1,174	Statistical Release for Reported Treasure Finds 2021-2022.
2022	1,378	Statistical Release for Reported Treasure Finds 2021-2022 (record high).
2023	1,456	Statistical Release for Reported Treasure Finds 2022-2023 (latest finalized data as of Nov 2024).
2024	1378	(news reports March 2025).

Methodology and Sources

1. Early Years (1998–2006): Data comes from individual Treasure Annual Reports published by the British Museum and DCMS. These reports initially covered England, Wales, and Northern Ireland separately but later consolidated. Figures reflect cases reported to coroners via the PAS or directly to the Treasure Unit.
2. 2007 Onward: Starting in 2007, the British Museum combined PAS and Treasure reporting after taking over administration of the Treasure process. Annual reports and statistical releases (available on GOV.UK and finds.org.uk) provide consistent yearly totals.
3. Recent Years (2018–2023): The Statistical Releases for Reported Treasure Finds (e.g., 2022 and 2023, published November 26, 2024) offer detailed breakdowns. These are the most authoritative sources for recent data.
4. 2024 Estimate: As of March 2, 2025, the full 2024 report isn’t available (typically released in November 2025). The provisional estimate is based on the upward trend (e.g., 1,378 in 2022 to 1,456 in 2023) and news updates indicating continued high activity, such as the February 2025 report of a "record increase" in finds.

Key Observations

• Growth Trend: Treasure cases increased from 191 in 1998 to 1,456 in 2023, a more than sevenfold rise. This reflects the expansion of PAS in 2003, growing metal-detecting popularity, and legal awareness.
• Significant Jumps: Notable increases occurred in 2003 (PAS fully rolled out), 2014 (first year over 1,000), and 2017–2022 (consistent growth, peaking in 2022 at 1,378).
• 2020 Dip: The slight drop to 1,077 cases reflects COVID-19 restrictions limiting detecting and reporting, though numbers rebounded quickly.

Limitations

• Pre-1998: The Treasure Act began in late 1997, but pre-Act data (under the old Treasure Trove law) averaged ~25 finds annually and isn’t directly comparable due to different criteria.
• 2024 Data: Without the full report, the 2024 figure is speculative. If you need precision, you’d need to wait for the November 2025 release.
• Regional Variations: These are national totals (England, Wales, Northern Ireland). Scotland operates under Treasure Trove law and isn’t included". [end of Grok]

But then it suggested I might like to see its "analysis of reporting trends". I thought I'd give it a go. Nothing very revolutionary, but I'll post it below for reference: 

]Grok begins]"Let’s analyze the reporting trends of Treasure finds under the Treasure Act 1996, as reported to the Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS) and the Treasure Unit at the British Museum, using the data from 1998 to 2023 (with a provisional note on 2024). I’ll break this down into key patterns, drivers of change, statistical insights, and contextual factors influencing the trends. The goal is to give you a clear picture of how reporting has evolved over time and what it might imply for your interests (e.g., graphing or understanding metal detecting activity).

Data Recap (1998–2023)

Here’s the annual number of Treasure cases reported, as compiled earlier, for reference:

• 1998: 191 | 1999: 223 | 2000: 221 | 2001: 265 | 2002: 242 | 2003: 413 | 2004: 506 | 2005: 593 | 2006: 665 | 2007: 747
• 2008: 806 | 2009: 778 | 2010: 859 | 2011: 969 | 2012: 990 | 2013: 990 | 2014: 1,008 | 2015: 1,005 | 2016: 1,080 | 2017: 1,266
• 2018: 1,094 | 2019: 1,303 | 2020: 1,077 | 2021: 1,174 | 2022: 1,378 | 2023: 1,456
• 2024: ~1,400–1,500 (provisional estimate)

Total cases over 26 years (1998–2023): 21,269. Average annual cases: ~818.

Key Trends

1. Overall Upward Trajectory (1998–2023):
   • Reporting has grown from 191 cases in 1998 to 1,456 in 2023—a 662% increase (over 7.6 times the starting figure).
   • The compound annual growth rate (CAGR) is approximately 8.2% per year, calculated as:
     

     [(1,456 / 191)^{1/25}] - 1

     × 100 ≈ 8.2%.
     This indicates steady, exponential growth rather than sporadic spikes.
2. Early Growth Phase (1998–2006):
   • From 1998 (191) to 2006 (665), cases more than tripled (+248% over 8 years).
   • Annual growth averaged ~58 cases/year.
   • Key inflection: 2003 saw a jump from 242 to 413 (+71%), coinciding with the PAS expanding to cover all of England and Wales, improving reporting infrastructure.
3. Steady Increase with Milestones (2007–2016):
   • Cases rose from 747 in 2007 to 1,080 in 2016 (+44% over 9 years), averaging ~37 cases/year growth.
   • 2014 marked the first year over 1,000 cases (1,008), a symbolic threshold reflecting sustained momentum.
   • A plateau-like period (2012–2015) hovered around 990–1,008, suggesting temporary stabilization before further growth.
4. Sharp Acceleration (2017–2023):
   • From 1,266 in 2017 to 1,456 in 2023 (+15% over 6 years), with a peak of 1,378 in 2022.
   • Annual growth averaged ~32 cases/year, but 2017 (+186 from 2016) and 2022 (+204 from 2021) stand out as sharp spikes.
   • 2023’s 1,456 cases is the highest recorded, continuing the upward trend.
5. 2020 Anomaly (COVID-19 Dip):
   • A drop from 1,303 in 2019 to 1,077 in 2020 (-17%, or 226 cases) reflects pandemic restrictions on outdoor activities and reporting delays.
   • Recovery was swift: 2021 rose to 1,174 (+9%), and 2022 hit 1,378 (+17%), surpassing pre-COVID levels.

Statistical Insights

• Average Annual Cases by Period:
  • 1998–2006: 391 cases/year (early adoption phase).
  • 2007–2016: 923 cases/year (maturation phase).
  • 2017–2023: 1,249 cases/year (acceleration phase).
  • The shift from ~400 to ~1,250 cases/year highlights a structural increase in reporting capacity and activity.
• Yearly Variability:
  • Standard deviation of annual cases (1998–2023): ~383, reflecting growing dispersion as numbers increase.
  • Coefficient of variation (std dev / mean): 0.47, indicating moderate variability relative to the mean (818), with larger swings in later years.
• Growth Rates:
  • Highest single-year increase: 2003 (+71%, 171 cases).
  • Lowest (non-COVID): 2009 (-3.5%, -28 cases, post-2008 financial crisis).
  • Post-2010 average growth: ~4–5% annually, accelerating to ~10% in 2021–2023.

Drivers of Trends

1. PAS Expansion (2003 Onward):
   • The PAS’s full rollout in 2003 created a network of Finds Liaison Officers (FLOs), making reporting easier and more consistent. The jump from 242 (2002) to 413 (2003) directly correlates with this.
2. Metal Detecting Popularity:
   • Growth in detector sales and club memberships (e.g., National Council for Metal Detecting data) parallels the rise in finds. Sam Hardy’s estimates suggest 10,000–20,000 detectorists in England/Wales by the 2010s, up from fewer in the 1990s.
3. Legal Awareness and Compliance:
   • The Treasure Act 1996 clarified reporting obligations, replacing the ambiguous Treasure Trove law (~25 cases/year pre-1997). Public campaigns and education via PAS increased compliance over time.
4. Technological Advances:
   • Better detectors (e.g., deeper-seeking models post-2000s) and online tools (PAS database launched 1997, expanded 2000s) boosted finds and reporting efficiency.
5. Cultural Factors:
   • High-profile finds (e.g., Staffordshire Hoard, 2009, valued at £3.3M) spurred public interest, likely encouraging more detecting and reporting in subsequent years (e.g., 859 in 2010 to 969 in 2011).
6. External Shocks:
   • 2020’s dip aligns with lockdown restrictions (March–June 2020), reducing fieldwork. The rebound in 2021–2022 suggests pent-up activity and possibly increased leisure time post-lockdown.
     [...].

Contextual Interpretation

• Underreporting Bias: Early years (1998–2002) likely undercount true finds due to limited PAS coverage and awareness. The “true” baseline might be higher, making early growth even steeper.
• Saturation Potential: The 2012–2015 plateau (~990 cases) hints at possible capacity limits (e.g., FLO workload), but post-2017 growth suggests new thresholds are being crossed.
• 2024 Outlook: The provisional 1,400–1,500 estimate aligns with recent averages (1,400/year, 2021–2023), but could rise further if detecting conditions or policy changes (e.g., 2023 consultation on Treasure Act revisions) boost reporting.

Conclusion

The trend is a robust, multi-decade increase in Treasure reporting, driven by structural improvements (PAS), cultural shifts (detecting boom), and occasional external shocks (COVID-19). The data reflects not just more finds, but a system maturing to capture them. For your graphing, expect a visually striking climb with a few dramatic moments—perfect for illustrating the Treasure Act’s impact! Let me know if you’d like help formatting this for a specific tool or digging into a sub-trend further."

[Grok ends] 

[Grok ends]