TREASURE-TROVE AND THE TREASURY.
[TO TUE EDITOR OF VIZ "SPECTPATOR."]
Sin,—On July 25th, 1906, a labourer digging for flint in Grovely Wood, South Wilts, unearthed a small vessel con- taining three hundred Roman silver coins and several silver rings. • The coins were in brilliant condition, and represented twelve reigns over the period 337-408 A.D. The find is fully described by Mr. G. F. Hill in the Numismatic Chronicle. Fourth Series, Vol. VI. Information was at once given, and the entire hoard—except one coin which was lost by the labourer—sent to the Treasury by the landowner, the Earl of Pembroke. As is customary, the objects were submitted to the British Museum authorities, who retained the rings and thirty-six of the rarer coins for the National Collection. The actual finder was suitably rewarded. On February 8th last Lord Pembroke wrote to the Treasury requesting that the
remainder of the coins should be returned to him for the collection at Wilton House or for the Salisbury Museum. On April 5th he was informed that the coins would not be returned, but that he would be " permitted " to purchase them all, or in part, at a total valuation of 271. Lord Pembroke took no notice of this remarkable proposal, but to a further communication, from the Coin Department of the British Museum, he replied by his agent that he declined to buy what ought to be his, and deprecated the action of the Treasury. On July 4th last, by order of the Treasury, all the coins, broken up into small lots, were sold by auction in Loudon. Hoards of silver coins of this particular period are rare and of extreme interest, as having scarcely been found outside the British Isles and a limited area in the West of England. This hoard, if preserved intact, except for the few pieces taken by the British Museum, either in Wilton House, the treasures of which are always accessible to the public by Lord Pembroke's courtesy, or in the well-ordered Salisbury Museum, would have had a permanent historical and educa- tional value. It is now irretrievably scattered and destroyed. Those who appreciate the significance and importance of such antiquities, inasmuch as they build up the history of our country, will in future have very scrupulous consciences before they surrender their finds into the barbarous hands of H.M. Treasury.—I am, Sir, &c.,
G. H. ENGLEHEART, F.S.A., Local Secretary for Wilts of the Society of Antiquaries of London.
Little Clarendon, Dinton, Salisbury.
[Our correspondent's letter is, in truth, an indictment of the existing law of treasure-trove, and has our sympathies. That law is by no means calculated to the preservation of ancient coins and gold and silver treasure of other kinds, but has an exactly contrary effect. We would give the Crown nothing more than a right of pre-emption..—En. Spectator.]
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