Treasure does not belong to the king, unless no one knows who hid it.

Explanation

Found treasure belongs to the finder unless no owner can be identified, in which case it reverts to the sovereign — the state's claim is secondary to that of any known owner.

Where this applies

• A metal detectorist finds a cache of gold coins buried in a public park with no indication of who hid them, and the state claims the treasure because no owner can be identified.
• A construction crew unearths a chest of colonial-era silver during a road project, and when no descendants of the original owner come forward, the treasure reverts to the state.
• A homeowner discovers old jewelry hidden in the walls of a house she purchased, and the question of ownership turns on whether the previous owner or any heir can be identified — if not, the find belongs to the sovereign.