ANTIQUITY LAWS?

[JOHND84094]

I'm new to this hobby and have my new detector on the way. I have heard something about antiquity laws. Something about not digging for and keeping relics, artifacts and coins older than, is it fifty or a hundred years old? I also read somewhere where that was updated and now it is anything older than ten years. Are we all breaking the law? Has anyone heard of these laws being enforced? I know that you can't hunt in State Parks and in National Parks and Monuments.

I'm mainly interested in finding old coins, but I don't want to get my thousand dollar detector confiscated or get a hefty fine. I know that back East and in the South, many of you find a lot of Civil War relics that are older than that. I'm not trying to stir things up. I would appreciate any feed back.

HH, John

 

[Brandy[Ma.]]

that should cover you in parks,schools,conservation land.privet land always ask.

 

[Ed SW Fla]

.... in the NE and Mid Atlantic states, some communities may require a permit or permission to detect. When given permission, unless stated otherwise, what you find you can choose to keep or to donate to the local historical museum. When in doubt, ask permission.

On private property, ALWAYS ask permission and follow the requests / guidelines / rules of the landowner as to what portion of the land you can detect, how the property is treated, and disposition of any finds.

 

[AllenOK]

Will depend on two things:

1) The policies of the State Parks Department of your state.
2) The whim of the Ranger in charge of that park.

Some states allow detecting only in "areas improved for recreational use", such as playgrounds, campgrounds, picnic areas, beaches, etc. Out in the woods would be "off-limits" at such a place. I only know of two states like that, Oklahoma, and Michigan. I've lived in both, and hunted State Park swimming areas with good finds out of the water.

Some states, sadly, do not allow any detecting whatsoever inside their boundaries.

Even if you are in a state that allows detecting inside State Parks, if the Ranger in charge doesn't want you there, he can make you leave. We have one like that here, about an hour south of me. State policy is a go for detecting in "improved" areas, but this Ranger just won't allow it. Don't know why.

National Parks and National Seashores are off-limits.

HH from Allen in OK

 

[JOHND84094]

I was not really asking where you can hunt, I was more trying to find out if it's actually legal to be keeping the old coins and relics, the way the antiquity laws are written? I'm sure it's legal to keep them if you find them on private property and you have permission to hunt on it. What if you find them on public lands though?

 

[Craig in Alabama]

n/t

 

[Ed SW Fla]

... to turn over to the park office all historical items found such as pieces of eight, swords, guns, etc. Said we could keep any modern coins and jewelry we found. Guess you need to ask the rules for what public lands you are on and act accordingly.

 

[HARRY~]

n/t