Striking Gold in Your Own Backyard: A California Couple Finds 10 Million in Buried Gold Coins
In a mind-blowing tale of serendipity, a Northern California couple stumbled upon a treasure trove worth millions. Believe it or not, this couple discovered buried gold coins valued at an estimated $10 million while simply walking their dog on their own property. This article will take you through their incredible find, known as the Saddle Ridge Hoard. Discover what these treasures truly are, their historical significance, and how such a find could change your life. If you’ve ever wondered if there’s more than just dirt in your backyard, you’ll definitely want to keep reading.
Key Takeaways:
- Professionally assessed, the found gold coins are worth an estimated $10 million.
- In an attempt to protect their privacy, the couple who uncovered this treasure wants to remain anonymous.
- The collection of coins dates from 1847 to 1894, a gold-rich period in California’s history.
- Accurate Precious Metals can help you determine the value of such treasures.
Who is the California Couple that Found the Gold Coins?
An ordinary couple from Northern California, whose names are withheld for privacy reasons, made an extraordinary find while walking their dog on their property. Usually, a walk would only yield the sight of their surrounding natural beauty, but on this day, they found something sparkling near a decaying metal canister. The couple uncovered the likes of which many of us can only dream about – a pot of gold!
The couple, now known simply as those who want to remain anonymous, unearthed six decaying metal canisters filled with 1800s-era U.S. gold coins. This chance discovery turned an ordinary day into a momentous one, catapulting them into the limelight of treasure hunting history.
What is the Saddle Ridge Hoard?
The Saddle Ridge Hoard, as it has come to be known, contains 1,427 gold pieces minted from 1847 to 1894. The collection includes $5, $10, and $20 gold pieces. What makes this hoard particularly unique is not just the number of coins, but also their remarkably mint condition, preserved by the canisters.
David Hall, the co-founder of the Professional Coin Grading Service, called it “one of the greatest buried treasures ever found in the United States.” The face value of the coins is about $28,000, but due to their rarity and mint condition, experts estimate their worth at $10 million!
How Did They Find the Gold Coins?
The Northern California couple had strolled the paths of their property with their dog for years. Intriguingly, this time, they noticed a rusted canister poking out of the ground. They dug it up and found it full of gold coins. Further exploration led them to more canisters, making them realize that they had stumbled upon an incredible treasure.
The couple found the pot of gold at the end of their very own rainbow, so to speak. These gold coins weren’t buried purposely. It is thought that whoever hid the gold pieces did so over time, possibly during the gold rush era.
What is the Significance of the Gold Coins?
The discovered hoard is a significant part of California’s Gold Rush heritage. The Gold Rush era, from 1848 to 1855, was a period in which prospectors flocked to California in search of gold. The dates on the coins align with this era, making them a valuable historical document as well as a precious artifact.
While many of the coins were minted in San Francisco, some, like a rare 1866 $20 gold piece, lack the “In God We Trust” motto, making them incredibly valuable. It’s these unique treasures that have made this discovery so fantastic.
Turning to Accurate Precious Metals to Assess the Find
When the couple made their discovery, they reached out to the Professional Coin Grading Service to have the coins assessed. Much like this service, Accurate Precious Metals specializes in evaluating and purchasing such precious items.
Unlike a pawnshop, Accurate Precious Metals offers you the true value of your treasure. A pawnshop lends money in exchange for an item and often undervalues the goods. In contrast, Accurate Precious Metals is a dealer that buys your precious metals at competitive market prices.
A Life-Changing Find
Discovering the Saddle Ridge Hoard has undoubtedly changed the lives of this couple. They plan to use the money to pay off bills and quietly donate to local charities. It has allowed them to secure their future while upholding their desire for a quiet, private life.
While finding $10 million in your backyard isn’t something that happens every day, it does make one wonder what could be hidden just under the surface. Perhaps the next big discovery is waiting for you!
In Conclusion: Anything is Possible
This incredible story of the California couple serves as a fantastic reminder that anything is possible. Whether it’s a hidden treasure in your backyard or an inherited heirloom, you never really know what its worth could be.
If you ever stumble upon something that you think could be of significant value, reach out to the experts at Accurate Precious Metals who are always ready to help you unearth its true worth.
Key Points to Remember:
- The couple discovered gold coins estimated to be worth $10 million.
- The coins, known as the Saddle Ridge Hoard, date from 1847 to 1894.
- They discovered the coins while walking their dog on their property.
- The discovery has changed their lives, allowing them to secure their future.
- If you discover a potentially valuable item, experts like those at Accurate Precious Metals can help assess its worth.
Frequently Asked Questions – Unearthing a Hidden Treasure
1: How did a California couple stumble upon gold coins in their own backyard?
A Northern California couple found a trove of rare gold rush-era coins while walking their dog. They stumbled upon a pot of gold at the end of their property.
2: How much were the gold coins worth?
The discovered treasure was estimated to be valued at around $10 million in rare gold coins buried on their property.
3: When did this discovery take place?
The coins were unearthed in California February 2013 by a couple who want to remain anonymous.
4: Where were the coins buried?
The gold coins were found buried on the couple’s property in Northern California.
5: Can you provide more information about the gold coins?
The coins found in the saddle ridge hoard date from 1847 to 1894, showing one of the six decaying metal canisters filled with 1800s-era gold.
6: Were the coins sent to a professional coin grading service?
Yes, the couple sent the gold coins to a professional coin grading service for evaluation and authentication.
7: What is the significance of the California Gold Rush in relation to this discovery?
The discovery of rare gold coins unearthed in California in 2013 highlights the importance and legacy of the California Gold Rush, which took place during the mid-1800s.
8: Were there any specific coin dates that stood out among the discovery?
Among the gold coins, there were significant dates from 1847 to 1894, representing a span of time during the gold rush era.
9: Is there any possibility of finding more hidden treasure in California?
It’s always possible to stumble upon buried treasure in California or any other region associated with historical events like the Gold Rush. However, every discovery is unique and cannot be guaranteed.