“What happened to possession is nine-tenths of the law?” pointed out one commenter.
Someone else added, “That is crazy! She found it fair and square, why does she have to give it up?”
Ms. Harding Received a Swell of Support from the British Public
Many people were outraged at authorities for handing this poor girls’ case so abruptly. It was a delicate situation and it was handled by earth movers. “Since when did museums become law enforcers?” some people complained.
“I too would ignore threatening letters from a bunch of ‘collectors,’” others declared. Ms. Harding appreciated the support.
Some People Were Outraged
Other British subjects were offended such a lawsuit went forward in the first place.
“They took this woman to court over a coin! This is ridiculous! I’m all for preserving English heritage, but quite rightly this is her property. . .”
A Man Comes to Her Defense
One person named Alan from Coventry bravely offered a defense for Ms. Harding. He said, “I can’t understand how she could be found guilty.
If the find was in 1996, did it occur before or after the Treasure Act came into force?” We all know her find predated the law by many years.
“Can the prosecution prove the date of the find?”
These were good questions. But the museum would stop at nothing. From their view, historical relics belonged to the state and they belonged to the public. The museum makes such relics available to all.
Furthermore, the museum does not believe any individual has a right to a public good like a remnant of history.