The Archaeology Thread

[Anomalocaris]

Because it's easier and legal to sell them like gold. I mean, I am talking about a scenario if a regular Joe finds it in his garden.

Actually, it’s easier and just as legal to hand them over to your department of antiquities (or local equivalent) and claim the reward. Probably more profitable as well.

Say you find a pound of first century Roman gold coins in excellent condition. The bullion value of the coins would be in the neighborhood of $US30 000. It’s not inconceivable that the collector’s value would be about a million. Even with a paltry 10% finder’s fee, you’d triple your money not have to go through all that tedious melting. Not to mention the risk of getting caught and jailed.

Boru

It depends on the country.    In many countries you are required to turn it over pro bono and may be jailed if you don’t.   So the incentive exists to liquidate it into unrecognizable bullion.