By — Justin Scuiletti Justin Scuiletti Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/california-couple-strikes-gold-10-million-coin-find Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter California couple strikes gold with $10 million coin find Nation Feb 26, 2014 12:55 PM EDT What started as a routine walk with their dog turned into one of the greatest treasure finds in U.S. history. A California couple, identified only as John and Mary, encountered a rusty metal can sticking out of the ground while walking their dog on their property. After digging up a grand total of eight cans, the two found a collection of 1,427 uncirculated gold coins — dating from 1847 to 1894 — in mint condition. While carrying a face value of $28,000, the find is said to be worth more than $10 million. “We’ve seen shipwrecks in the past where thousands of gold coins were found in very high grade, but a buried treasure of this sort is unheard of,” said David McCarthy, a coin expert working for Kagin’s — the currency firm representing the couple . “I’ve never seen this face value in North America, and you never see coins in the condition we have here.” The couple wishes to remain anonymous in order to changing their current lifestyle and to prevent possible treasure hunters descending upon their property in search of more gold. They aim to sell most of the coins through Amazon — using the proceeds to pay off bills and donate to charities. By — Justin Scuiletti Justin Scuiletti Justin Scuiletti is the digital video producer at PBS NewsHour. @JSkl
What started as a routine walk with their dog turned into one of the greatest treasure finds in U.S. history. A California couple, identified only as John and Mary, encountered a rusty metal can sticking out of the ground while walking their dog on their property. After digging up a grand total of eight cans, the two found a collection of 1,427 uncirculated gold coins — dating from 1847 to 1894 — in mint condition. While carrying a face value of $28,000, the find is said to be worth more than $10 million. “We’ve seen shipwrecks in the past where thousands of gold coins were found in very high grade, but a buried treasure of this sort is unheard of,” said David McCarthy, a coin expert working for Kagin’s — the currency firm representing the couple . “I’ve never seen this face value in North America, and you never see coins in the condition we have here.” The couple wishes to remain anonymous in order to changing their current lifestyle and to prevent possible treasure hunters descending upon their property in search of more gold. They aim to sell most of the coins through Amazon — using the proceeds to pay off bills and donate to charities.