Gold Rush on Russia’s Beaches: Metal Detectorists Hunt for Treasure, but Will They Keep What They Find?

A gold rush has begun in Russia — treasure hunters are flocking to beaches en masse.

The most promising locations are the Black Sea coast and the Moscow region, home to elite beaches and yacht clubs. According to experienced “hunters,” a successful season can bring in up to 500,000 rubles.

Underwater currents wash items out of the sand, making finds more accessible. However, many seekers forget that even if they get lucky, the discovery does not legally belong to them.

Even if a valuable item is found, it does not belong to the finder. By law, it must be:

• An attempt must be made to return it to the owner
• Handed over to the police

Otherwise, the act may be classified as theft. Excavations at historical sites carry even more serious consequences:

• Fines of up to 700,000 rubles
• Imprisonment for up to 4 years

“So whether to search for gold or just get a job — the choice is yours,” experts conclude.

Many people are unaware of or ignore the law: cultural valuables automatically become state property. Illegal excavations at historical sites involve artifacts that cannot be removed. Fines can reach substantial amounts, and in some cases — real prison sentences.