I would have wanted to keep it for the historical and collector’s value. I’d have even been willing to loan it out to museums for long term display, but I’d have wanted to retain ownership of it, had I been the property owner.
Oh me too. Forced sales are always at most a necessary evil.
At least in the case of treasure this old, the Treasure Trove Act enhances the value of finds. 1.5 kg of Gold is worth X money. But 1.5 Kg of Gold + accredited provenance from experts can double the value of the find.
And of course there is a value to the country in preserving the ‘archaeological’ value of these finds - meaning that the treasure gets examined by experts, minutely cataloged and its provenance preserved. And you know the stuff is going to be properly cleaned.
I wish the sales weren’t forced, but I can see the point of the Act.