I’m surprised that they weren’t confiscated as “ government property”.
After appraisal, the government has the right to purchase the find at fair market value. If it doesn’t, the find belongs to the finder
Great Britain has great treasure laws that encourage detecting. If one finds something they tell the government. If the government decides that it has historic value the government buys it from the finder at a reasonable price.
If it isn’t historical it goes back to the finder. A detectorist finds it on someone else’s land they usually have a short contract signed by the landowner to share some percentage of any treasure found.
I’m surprised, too. I thought sure the British government would get some of it.
No need.
Inland Revenue, or whatever they’re calling it these days, will make sure the UK’s Deep State gets its cut.
I'm surprised the British government didn't declare it national treasure and ban it from leaving the country, like they've done with other objects that have sold to people outside the UK.
Back in 2012, a ring that belonged to Jane Austen went to auction in Britain. American singer Kelly Clarkson won the bid, but the UK declared it national treasure and banned it from leaving the country. A museum finally scarfed up enough money to pay Clarkson what she'd paid for the ring.
Kelly Clarkson buys Jane Austen ring; export blocked
Just this month, another item that hadn't gone to auction yet, was barred from export until a UK museum can come up with the money to purchase it:
Rare marble portrait of scandal-plagued Victorian lady barred from leaving UK
Great Britain has a treasure finder’s law that awards most (if not all) the treasure to the finder (and the land owner).