[stayathomemom]

You just won’t listen, will you? Oftentimes it is an antiquities dealer or coin dealer, with no vested interest in the museum or authorities getting the item. Can’t you just accept it is fair? Especially when one who knows more about it than you is trying to enlighten you?

[Eric in the Ozarks]

I totally agree that historic artifacts should be looked after by appropriate authorities. And to your suggestion that the UK is unique, well, I don't think so. Try digging into an Indian burial mound along the Mississippi and see what that gets for your trouble.
I do offer a firsthand point that may give a more complete picture of the UK situation. The father of a UK friend turned up a airplane fragment (likely German) while tilling his garden in Coventry back in the 60s. He had it on display in his home and happened to mention it to someone in a pub. A few days later, he was arrested and his chunk of metal confiscated.

[ElkGroveDan]

Oftentimes it is an antiquities dealer or coin dealer, with no vested interest in the museum or authorities getting the item. Can’t you just accept it is fair?

eBay would be fair. The true value of an item is what the highest bidder is willing to pay for it. People pay in excess of so-called "appraised values" all the time. Go watch a Southeby's auction, or any auction for a famous or notorious item.