At first, the Norwegian man thought his metal detector reacted to chocolate money buried in the soil. It turned out to be nine pendants, three rings and 10 gold pearls in what was described as the country’s gold find of the century.

The rare find was made this summer by 51-year-old Erlend Bore on the southern island of Rennesoey, near the city of Stavanger. Bore had bought his first metal detector earlier this year to have a hobby after his doctor ordered him to get out instead of sitting on the couch.

“At first I thought it was chocolate coins or Captain Sabertooth coins,” said Bore, referring to a fictional Norwegian pirate. “It was totally unreal.”

  • Mongostein@lemmy.ca
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    10 months ago

    Under Norwegian law, objects from before 1537 and coins older than 1650 are considered state property, and must be handed in.

    I hope they paid him for the value of the gold at least. Otherwise people may melt down these kinds of finds for the money.

    Also, I must learn more about Captain Sabretooth.

    • ta_leadran_orm@lemmy.world
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      10 months ago

      From what I understand they do have a system to reward to discoverer and the landowner, though whether it would match the material value I can’t say

      • Mongostein@lemmy.ca
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        10 months ago

        Exactly why the state should be paying market price for the gold if they’re going to have a law like this. These ol kinds of finds should be on display, not melted down and hawked at a pawn shop.

    • TopShelfVanilla@sh.itjust.works
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      10 months ago

      Under no circumstances would I go public with such a discovery let alone inform any government of my findings. Why the fuck would anyone obey such a law?

      • Mongostein@lemmy.ca
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        10 months ago

        Is just want the gold value for it. It goes in a museum with your name on it as the discoverer forever. That’s pretty cool.