Which item qualifies as treasure under the Treasure Act 1996?

Under the Treasure Act 1996, an item qualifies as treasure primarily if it is either a coin that is at least 300 years old and made of precious metal or consists of a number of coins that together meet certain criteria by weight. A silver coin from 1500 fits these requirements perfectly, as it is both made of precious metal and is over 300 years old.

The act is specifically focused on items that have both archaeological value and potential historical significance. In contrast, while the old wooden artifact, unique painting, and diamond ring may have value, they do not meet the specific conditions established by the Act to classify them as treasure. The wooden artifact lacks the precious metal element and the necessary historical age, the unique painting does not involve coins or precious metal, and the diamond ring's lack of historical significance further disqualifies it from being considered treasure under the Act.