Scooter-Jim, Let's clarify a few things :
1) singular coins there (even rare/valuable ones) and the like, do not have to be declared or turned in or sold to the govt. Only the big ticket caches, or something spectacular/historic/valuable. That's why you say that many of the md'rs have not had to "turn in stuff".
2) You list, as an advantage-to-the-system, that there's a badge of honor that comes with it. Well sure, that's nothing other than the similar show & tell we always do on forums, that comes with the atteboys, the respect, the accolades, etc.... Sure, and who doesn't relish that ? I get it. But ....
3) The "scheme" is rooted in a much older rooting, that has nothing to do with md'ing. And this "rooting" is not the same in USA law. Namely: That the wealth under the ground belongs to the govt. (eg. Minerals, oil, etc...). So for example : If you strike oil on your own private land here in the USA (think "Beverly Hillbillies"), you're rich, right ? You own that oil, right ? You can do what you want with it, right ? But in those countries, under the "scheme", that oil belongs to the crown. Oh sure, you might get recompensed. But you are at the mercy of what the crown deems it to be worth. You don't do your own marketing selling, etc... (or in the case of a treasure, simply elect to keep it and never sell, etc...)
4) And if EVER any such "scheme" were suggested to any USA bureaucrats, then: Trust me, it would go downhill in a heartbeat. The average USA archie would BRISTLE at the thought of yahoos going out and digging up the past. The system would immediately be beset with silly rules and hoops.
For example, consider the various places (although rare), in the USA that ever dreamed up "permits". While you may think "permit" is wonderful (conjurs up images of detecting nilly-willy, eh ?), yet when you look closer at any place that ever dreamed up such a thing here, you begin to see the sillyness creep in. Eg.: "Can't dig with 20 ft of any tree", or "report all finds to city hall", or "yes but you can't keep anything" or "digger tool shall not exceed 3 inches in length", blah blah blah.
The LAST thing we want here in the USA, is ANYTHING that involves the govt. into our md'ing hobby. The LESS they think of us, the better.
Here in the USA: If you find a cache on farmer Bob's land, then it's totally between you and farmer Bob how to split or sell it. What's not to love about that system ? And as for accolades, sheesk, post pix on md'ing "finds" forums, and you'll get all sorts of fellow-hobbyist feed back, high 5's, etc...
The UK type system is very misunderstood by USA md'rs. It does NOT magically open up off-limits places either. They have scores of sensitive monuments stuff and public land that .... just like here ... is off-limits. So it is NOT some sort of "carte-blanche" for md'ing.
