The word 'antiquities' has several meanings, depending on context, but for the purposes of this article we are taking it to mean items from ancient times. This definition includes Roman coins, ancient household items, or any other artefact from ages gone by.
There is a large market for these kinds of items, and it's hardly surprising - being able to own your own piece of ancient history is an extremely exciting prospect. Even the smallest, apparently insignificant items can be imbued with a sense of splendour simply because they were used by people like us many, many years ago. And, as the world's largest online marketplace, eBay is a great place to get your hands on these relics of times past.
Before you start scouring eBay for antiquities, however, it is important to be aware of the legal status of the item that you are thinking of purchasing. There are strict rules that govern the sale of 'treasure' - and eBay takes great steps to ensure that unlawful sales of treasure are restricted as much as possible. Please note that this article assumes that the item was found in England, Wales or Northern Ireland - laws in other countries will vary.
Treasure is defined by law as a metallic object that is at least 300 years old, and contains at least ten per cent silver or gold by weight. Coins are only included in this definition if there are at least two of them present when found. The laws go into more detail (there are specific instructions based on whether coins are made from gold or silver, amongst other things) but, in very simple terms, mean 'if you find something that looks old and valuable, report it'.
For those that wish to buy antiquities on eBay, the auction website recommends a number of steps that can be taken to reduce the risk of accidently buying an unreported item. In the first instance, it recommends reading the product description very carefully so that you're sure exactly what you're buying. eBay allows plenty of information to be entered in the product description, so there's more than enough space for sellers to give a brief history of the item in question.
If there isn't enough information, then it's time to put the eBay question and answer system to good use. This system allows buyers to ask questions, and for sellers to reply - the answer then being visible, in most cases, to other potential buyers. eBay recommends asking a number of key questions if you're unsure of the legality of the antiquity you're interested in:
Ask where the seller found the item - The seller needs to have received permission from the owner of the land on which the item was found.
Ask for written documentation - If the items being sold on eBay are defined as treasure, then the seller should have written documentation that this find was reported to the relevant authorities.
Ask as much as you can to find out more about the sale - Ask them why they're selling the item, ask whether they have shops, ask if you can have their company number, ask anything you can to get more details. Sellers that are selling illegal finds on eBay are more likely to be evasive when answering questions like these. You can also get an impression of the seller's reliability by investigating his or her eBay feedback history.
In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, there are strict laws that govern the sale of 'treasure' on eBay. This article looks at the ways in which buyers can ensure they are purchasing a legal antiquity.