[montag813]

NO. Stupid to melt it down OR turn it in, since Britain only pays the “market rate” for finds. Ridiculous. Best to take your time and find a dealer who sells such items to collectors in the black market. Could easily get $25,000 for an item like this, whereas “market value” even if 24k gold would be less than $2k.

[cuban leaf]

But you would have to start some relationships with “interesting” people.

[21twelve]

Metal detecting and guns.

Best to know the rules before hand.

I suppose a whole bunch of other things too. Especially in England what with driving on the left side of the road and all.

[Godebert]

NO. Stupid to melt it down OR turn it in, since Britain only pays the “market rate” for finds. Ridiculous. Best to take your time and find a dealer who sells such items to collectors in the black market. Could easily get $25,000 for an item like this, whereas “market value” even if 24k gold would be less than $2k.

It's clear that you don't understand the difference between "market value" and "melt value". Great Britain has the most fair and sensible metal detecting laws (Portable Antiquities Scheme ) in Europe.