treasure-trove

treas·ure-trove (trzhr-trv)

n.

1. Treasure found hidden.

2. Law Silver or gold in the form of bullion, plate, or money that is found hidden and has no known owner.

3. A discovery of great value.

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[Anglo-Norman tresor trove : Old French tresor, treasure; see treasure + Old French trove, past participle of trover, to find; see trover.]

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treasure-trove

n (in Britain)

1. (Law) Law valuable articles, such as coins, bullion, etc., found hidden in the earth or elsewhere and of unknown ownership. Such articles become the property of the Crown, which compensates the finder if the treasure is declared. In 1996 treasure was defined as any item over 300 years old and containing more than 5% precious metal

2. anything similarly discovered that is of value

[from Anglo-French tresor trové treasure found, from Old French tresor treasure + trover to find]