FYI Nevada

[mn90403]

Sometimes ignorance of the law is not a good excuse so just don't carry your finds when you don't have to. Here is a link and a key restriction on what you can keep when using a metal detector. Is this the same in other states?

http://www.blm.gov/nv/st/en/res/public_room_.html

Using metal detectors on public lands: Metal detector use is allowed on public lands. Modern money may be collected, but coins and artifacts more than 100 years old may not be collected.

Meteorites are the same in all states but this memo expires on Sept 30, 2013 to be replaced by what?

Casual Collection

: Meteorites may be casually collected (i.e., free and without a permit), pursuant to BLM’s regulations at 43 CFR 8365.1-5. In accordance with those regulations:

• Collection of meteorites is limited to certain public lands. Public lands closed to casual collection include: developed recreation sites, certain units of the National Landscape Conservation System, areas excluded from casual collection in a Land Use Plan such as an Area of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC) or a wilderness area, and areas closed by supplemental regulations;
• Individuals are limited to collecting what can be easily hand-carried, up to a maximum of ten pounds of meteorites per individual, per year;
• Only surface collection of meteorites using non-motorized and non-mechanical equipment is allowed (metal detectors may be used); and
• Casually-collected meteorites are for personal use only, and may not be bartered or sold for commercial purposes.

[Au Seeker]

I think the BLM is making up their on rules/laws again about the coins more than 100 years old, I'll have to do a little more research to see if it is still the case, but as far I know the Antiquities Act doesn't apply too any money/coins being keep when found, if the coins were minted by the government they are still legal tender!

[Hoser John]

I lived in Reno/ Carson City 77-83 and sure was different then. Going for vacation there soon,visit old haunts and see new stuff in CC. I heard 6 mile was paved now from VC to Dayton,sure was fun on my bikes blastn' down the canyon LL bent fer election. Kinda miss CC but them ungodly winters with Pokonos(icey death) or them Washoe Zephers at 100+ miles a hour at 0- degrees. Long winters but cool summers in daze a old and so MUCH smaller/nicer/and much cleaner. Last visit years ago was to see my great ol'Bud Darrel at Reno Prospectors one last time prior to RIP . All the biz on Wells signage was in bloody spanish,went into Carls JR and the broad at the counter tried speaking spanish to me-kaka hit the wind needless to say,so sad.... John

[Relichunter2]

Thanks for the info. , it's a good idea to be familiar of these rules and laws.

[Au Seeker]

Well upon further research, it appear that the law that is now used to prohibit collecting any archaeological items is now the Archaeological Resources Protection Act of 1979, it doesn't mention excluding coins over 100 years old.

http://www.fws.gov/fire/ifcc/Esr/Policy/Environmental%20Compliance/Archaeological_Resources_Protection_Act_of_1979.pdf

Here's the section that prohibits the collection of items, but doesn't mention anything in particular, but broadly covers anything that is "any archaeology resource" on public land.

"§ 470ee. Prohibited acts and criminal penalties

(a) Unauthorized excavation, removal, damage, alteration, or defacement of archaeological resources. No

person may excavate, remove, damage, or otherwise alter or deface, or attempt to excavate, remove,

damage, or otherwise alter or deface any archaeological resource located on public lands or Indian lands

unless such activity is pursuant to a permit issued under section 4 [16 USC § 470cc], a permit referred to

in section 4(h)(2) [16 USC § 470cc(h)(2)], or the exemption contained in section 4(g)(1) [16 USC §

470cc(g)(1)].

(b) Trafficking in archaeological resources the excavation or removal of which was wrongful under Federal

law. No person may sell, purchase, exchange, transport, receive, or offer to sell, purchase, or exchange

any archaeological resource if such resource was excavated or removed from public lands or Indian lands

in violation of--

(1) the prohibition contained in subsection (a), or

(2) any provision, rule, regulation, ordinance, or permit in effect under any other provision of Federal law.

© Trafficking in interstate or foreign commerce in archaeological resources the excavation, removal, sale,

purchase, exchange, transportation or receipt of which was wrongful under State or local law. No person

may sell, purchase, exchange, transport, receive, or offer to sell, purchase, or exchange, in interstate or

foreign commerce, any archaeological resource excavated, removed, sold, purchased, exchanged,

transported, or received in violation of any provision, rule, regulation, ordinance, or permit in effect under

State or local law.

(d) Penalties. Any person who knowingly violates, or counsels, procures, solicits, or employs any other

person to violate, any prohibition contained in subsection (a), (b), or © of this section shall, upon

conviction, be fined not more than $ 10,000 or imprisoned not more than one year, or both: Provided,

however, That if the commercial or archaeological value of the archaeological resources involved and the

cost of restoration and repair of such resources exceeds the sum of $ 500, such person shall be fined not

more than $ 20,000 or imprisoned not more than two years, or both. In the case of a second or subsequent

such violation upon conviction such person shall be fined not more than $ 100,000, or imprisoned not more

than five years, or both."

The Archaeological Resources Protection Act of 1979 does in this section mentions "coin"...

"§ 470kk. Savings provisions

(a) Mining, mineral leasing, reclamation, and other multiple uses. Nothing in this Act shall be construed to

repeal, modify, or impose additional restrictions on the activities permitted under existing laws and

authorities relating to mining, mineral leasing, reclamation, and other multiple uses of the public lands.

(b) Private collections. Nothing in this Act applies to, or requires a permit for, the collection for private

purposes of any rock, coin, bullet, or mineral which is not an archaeological resource, as determined under

uniform regulations promulgated under section 3(1).

© Lands within Act. Nothing in this Act shall be construed to affect any land other than public land or

Indian land or to affect the lawful recovery, collection, or sale of archaeological resources from land other

than public land or Indian land."

As mentioned in the above quote, in section 3 (1), it does go into detail what is considered an "archaeology resource", but it still doesn't mention "coin", but it does state "...shall include, but not be limited to...", so I guess this law was written in this way so the government can just add what ever they like to the list when something is found on "OUR" public lands!!!

"§ 470bb. Definitions

As used in this Act--

(1) The term "archaeological resource" means any material remains of past human life or activities which

are of archaeological interest, as determined under uniform regulations promulgated pursuant to this Act.

Such regulations containing such determination shall include, but not be limited to: pottery, basketry, bottles,

weapons, weapon projectiles, tools, structures or portions of structures, pit houses, rock paintings, rock

carvings, intaglios, graves, human skeletal materials, or any portion or piece of any of the foregoing items.

Nonfossilized and fossilized paleontological specimens, or any portion or piece thereof, shall not be

considered archaeological resources, under the regulations under this paragraph, unless found in an

archaeological context. No item shall be treated as an archaeological resource under regulations under this

paragraph unless such item is at least 100 years of age."