What happens when the crown wishes to retain an item found under the Treasure Act 1996?

When the crown wishes to retain an item found under the Treasure Act 1996, a coroner's inquest is held to determine if it qualifies as treasure. The Act defines treasure and establishes a process for dealing with items that meet its criteria. Once an item is reported, the coroner is responsible for conducting an inquest to assess whether the object can be classified as treasure. If the item is deemed treasure, this enables the Crown to take ownership of it, provided proper procedures are followed. This process is important for ensuring that historically significant items are preserved in the public interest.

The other choices do not accurately describe the process outlined in the Treasure Act. Imposing a financial penalty on the finder is not a requirement if the crown shows interest in the item, and items can’t be simply returned to the finders without proper assessment. Additionally, while some historical societies may be involved in discussions about the item's fate, ownership rights are not automatically transferred to them under the Act.