Portable Antiquities Scheme

British law

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Last updated

July 20, 2026

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The Portable Antiquities Scheme is a program in England and Wales that records and manages the discovery of archaeological finds, particularly those made by the public. It operates under British law, which distinguishes between archaeological finds and "treasure trove." Treasure trove, in law, refers to gold or silver articles of which no owner can be found, and historically belonged to the Crown. The scheme aims to ensure that significant archaeological discoveries are properly recorded and, if necessary, acquired by museums, rather than being lost or privatized. This process involves careful excavation and recording, whether planned, for rescue, or accidental.123

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coin collecting
Modern collecting
The British Treasure Act and Portable Antiquities Scheme (both enacted in the mid-1990s) are widely advocated by collector groups as a viable system for the preservation of cultural property and the protection of individual freedoms.
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The British Treasure Act and Portable Antiquities Scheme (both enacted in the mid-1990s) are widely advocated by collector groups as a viable system for the preservation of cultural property and the protection of individual freedoms.
Read More