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The number of pieces of treasure found in Surrey increased last year.
There were a total of 1,540 pieces of treasure discovered across England, Wales and Northern Ireland in 2024, according to new provisional figures from the Department for Culture, Media & Sport.
The majority were uncovered by metal detecting - some 95% of all finds - though some were picked up by archaeology (4%) chance finds (1%) and mudlarking (<1%).
There were 12 treasure finds in Surrey, up from eight in both 2023 and 2022. The highest number on record though was 15 finds in 2019.
Norfolk is the country's treasure capital, with more finds than anywhere else. There were a total of 138 treasure finds in the country in 2024. That's up from 108 a year earlier and is the fifth year in a row that it's topped the treasure charts.
Norfolk's neighbouring counties are also treasure-finding hotspots, with the East of England producing more finds than any other region, a total of 388 last year.
Essex had the fourth highest total of any county with 107 finds, while Suffolk was fifth with 85.
Elsewhere in the country, Hampshire had the second highest number of finds last year with 110, followed by North Yorkshire with 109. Wiltshire and Swindon had 79, Lincolnshire had 76, and Somerset 51.
You can see how many treasure discoveries were made in your local area by using our interactive map.
The definition of what counts as treasure was changed in 2023.
Previously treasure had to be at least 300 years old and be in part made of precious metals such as gold or silver, or be part of a hoard.
The new definition includes items at least 200 years old and deemed to be of outstanding historical, archaeological or cultural significance, regardless of what type of metal they are made from.
County
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
2023
2024 (prov.)
Surrey
8
14
6
8
9
8
2
15
6
4
8
8
12