Treasure-Trove

trezh'ur-trov, in English law, any treasure, as coin, gold, silver, plate, jewelry, or gems, found hidden away without an apparent owner. The word trove means found. The English laws require the finder to deliver treasure-trove to the proper officer for the use of the crown. In case the finder conceals the treasure, or neglects to report it, he is subject to arrest and punishment for theft. In practice, however, the English courts are accustomed to award treasure of this sort to the finder. In the United States treasure found hidden belongs to the owner of the land. If the owner of the land be unknown the treasure belongs to the finder. See Kidd; Thebes; Nibelungenlied