Can you realistically make money from metal detecting?

Metal detecting is often associated with stories of valuable hoards and life-changing discoveries. Television and headlines can give the impression that the hobby regularly leads to financial reward.

In reality, the financial side of metal detecting is more limited and more regulated than many people assume. In the UK, strict legal processes govern significant finds, and most detectorists approach the hobby for reasons other than profit.

Can you realistically make money from metal detecting?

In practical terms, most hobby detectorists do not make money from detecting.

Typical finds include:

• Modern coins

• Scrap metal

• Shotgun cartridges

• Farm debris

• Low-value artefacts

Even experienced detectorists may go months without finding anything of significant monetary value. Equipment costs, travel, club membership and insurance usually outweigh any small financial returns from casual finds.

Occasionally, items declared as Treasure under the law may be acquired by a museum, with a reward paid to the finder and landowner. However, this is rare and cannot be relied upon as income.

How does the PAS and Treasure process support detectorists?

The Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS) was established in 1997 to encourage voluntary recording of archaeological finds made by the public:https://finds.org.uk/

The PAS supports detectorists by:

• Providing Finds Liaison Officers (FLOs) to record discoveries

• Creating a permanent public record of finds

• Offering guidance on responsible detecting

• Strengthening cooperation between hobbyists and archaeologists

If a find qualifies as Treasure under the Treasure Act 1996, it must be reported to the local coroner within 14 days:https://www.gov.uk/treasure

The legal framework is set out in the Treasure Act 1996:https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1996/24/contents

If a museum wishes to acquire the Treasure, an independent valuation is carried out. The reward is normally split between the finder and landowner.

This process protects detectorists by:

• Clarifying ownership

• Ensuring transparent valuation

• Providing legal certainty

• Reducing disputes

It also ensures nationally important objects remain accessible to the public.

Heritage value rather than financial gain

For many UK detectorists, the primary value of a find is historical rather than monetary.

Recording an artefact:

• Contributes to national archaeological knowledge

• Preserves context information

• Links objects to specific landscapes

• Adds to local history

A Roman brooch recorded with accurate grid references can be more important to research than its scrap value. In many cases, the financial worth of an object is modest, but its historical significance is considerable.

Responsible detectorists often describe the real reward as:

• Learning about the land

• Connecting with past communities

• Contributing to heritage

The PAS database now contains over a million recorded finds, illustrating how individual hobbyists contribute to a broader archaeological record:https://finds.org.uk/database

Prosecution of detectorists selling undeclared Treasure

Recent years have seen prosecutions where individuals failed to declare Treasure or attempted to sell protected finds.

Failing to report Treasure is a criminal offence under the Treasure Act 1996. Penalties can include:

• Unlimited fines

• Imprisonment

• Confiscation of proceeds

The Crown Prosecution Service publishes case outcomes relating to heritage crime and theft:https://www.cps.gov.uk/

In several widely reported cases, detectorists who attempted to sell recently discovered Treasure items privately — particularly via online marketplaces — were prosecuted and received custodial sentences.

These cases demonstrate that:

• The law is actively enforced

• Selling undeclared Treasure carries serious risk

• Financial motives can lead to permanent criminal records

The reputational damage to the hobby is also significant when such cases appear in the national press.

Why it is best to avoid monetising metal detecting finds

Treating metal detecting as a money-making activity introduces several risks:

1. Legal risk – Misunderstanding reporting obligations can result in prosecution.

2. Ethical risk – Selling unrecorded artefacts removes historical information.

3. Reputational risk – Public perception of the hobby can deteriorate.

4. Practical risk – Financial returns are unpredictable and rare.

Detectorists who focus on financial gain may also be tempted to:

• Detect without proper landowner permission

• Withhold finds from recording

• Rush recovery rather than record context

These behaviours undermine both legal compliance and the long-term sustainability of the hobby.

By contrast, detectorists who prioritise responsible practice tend to enjoy:

• Stronger relationships with landowners

• Cooperation with archaeologists

• Clear legal protection

• Greater long-term satisfaction

Practical takeaway

Metal detecting can occasionally result in a financial reward through the Treasure process, but it is not a reliable source of income.

The UK’s legal framework — particularly the Treasure Act 1996 and the Portable Antiquities Scheme — is designed to protect heritage first and provide clarity for finders second. Attempting to bypass that framework for financial gain carries serious legal consequences.

For most UK detectorists, the real value lies in historical contribution, outdoor enjoyment and responsible discovery rather than monetary return.