Gold Coins Found by Couple May Have Been Stolen From Mint in 1900

Gold coins worth about $10 million found under a tree by a California couple may have been stolen from the San Francisco Mint in a 1900 gold heist, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.

The couple found 1,427 gold coins, dating from 1847 to 1894, while walking their dog on their property.

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Historian Jack Trout said a unique 1866 Liberty $20 gold piece worth more than $1 million links the coins to the 1900 heist.

“I don’t believe that coin ever left The Mint until the robbery,” Trout said, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. “For it to show up as part of the treasure find links it directly to that inside job at the turn of the century at the San Francisco Mint.”

He provided a published account of the robbery from the Haithi Trust Digital Library.

Mint spokesman Adam Stump said in a statement reported by ABC News that the Mint doesn’t have any information about a connection between the found coins and the robbery.

“We do not have any information linking the Saddle Ridge Hoard coins to any thefts at any United States Mint facility. Surviving agency records from the San Francisco Mint have been retired to the National Archives and Records Administration,” Stump said.

Coin dealer Don Kagin told ABC News that the chances of finding such a stash of coins are more unlikely than winning the lottery.

The couple, who have remained anonymous, plan to sell most of the coins, according to ABC News. But first, they are loaning some to the American Numismatic Association for its National Money Show, Kagin said.

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