There is a general law related to found items.
If the item was "misplaced" (that is, voluntarily left on the beach and then forgotten), the owner has the legal right to reclaim the item and you do not get legal title to it.
If the item was "lost" (e.g. dropped accidentally), you get title to the item unless the original owner demands its return. In some states (I don’t know about Florida), you are supposed to report the finding to the county (if of any value) after which the county publishes the finding, and then if not claimed within a time limit title passes to you.
Intentionally abandoned items are "finders keepers". Presumably this applies to old relics as well.
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Florida Metal Detecting Clubs – On Lost Treasure Online©! The Sunshine State. RELICS … The famous silicified coral, first found in the Tampa Bay area around 1825 is …http://www.treasurefish.com/florida metal detecting.htm – Cached ~~
References :
There is a general law related to found items.
If the item was "misplaced" (that is, voluntarily left on the beach and then forgotten), the owner has the legal right to reclaim the item and you do not get legal title to it.
If the item was "lost" (e.g. dropped accidentally), you get title to the item unless the original owner demands its return. In some states (I don’t know about Florida), you are supposed to report the finding to the county (if of any value) after which the county publishes the finding, and then if not claimed within a time limit title passes to you.
Intentionally abandoned items are "finders keepers". Presumably this applies to old relics as well.
References :
Carper et al, "Understanding The Law"