As for recording finds with the P.A.S, 5 years ago I handed a box of 800+ items to our local finds officer to record, all these object were medieval/Roman, 2 years later after countless phone calls, I asked for the box back, as not one item had been recorded. It seems to me they are only interested in Treasure items and when faced with the amount of finds I provided them, could not be bothered to do the paperwork.
One wonders how Mark Lodwick would respond to a box numbering 800 items being handed to him and how long it would take him and Cardiff Museum to record it all.
I think it a shame you use a DW forum to knock the Pas system, Alan stated an obvious response to anyone (tectorist) who chooses to advertise recordable finds on an internet forum that the arkies are also able to view.
I for one have a brilliant relationship with Brecon museum and so do the majority of detectorists and clubs in Wales with their respective flo's.
So in my opinion you want to tell the world you have found gold, then you should act responsibly and without all this dialogue trying to substantiate and justify why you will not.
Incidentally i apologised recently for handing over 12 items to be recorded destined for Mark Lodwick, knowing and accepting that due to his work load, i probably will not see them for a couple of months !
If anyone is stuck id'ing an artifact or coin, the ukdfd finds data base is a fantastic vehicle of pictures and info, and they do record some items that Pas don't. Though I am not sure whether the ukdfd is recognised officially with Pas. if it is not, well it is a shame in my opinion.
Forgot to add lovely find m8, i would be well chuffed