Written by: ANA Staff

Rare coin experts, Kagin's  Inc., today announced that a hoard of over 1,400 rare U.S. gold coins has been discovered buried on private property in California's gold region.  The treasure was found by a couple on their property while taking their dog on its daily walk. It is believed to be the greatest buried treasure ever unearthed in the United States, with an estimated value in excess of $10 million. 

 "What's really significant about this find," noted Don Kagin, president of Kagin's  Inc. of Tiburon, Calif., "is that unlike other hoards and treasures, this one includes a great variety of dates, many of which are in pristine condition; add to that a wonderful human interest story: this family literally found the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow."

One of the eight decaying metal canisters filled with 1800s-era U.S. gold coins unearthed in California by two people who want to remain anonymous.  The value of the "Saddle Ridge Hoard" treasure trove is estimated at $10 million or more.  (Photo courtesy of Saddle Ridge Hoard discoverers via Kagin's, Inc.)

The Saddle Ridge Treasure is named after a feature of the family's property.  Based on the dates of the coins included in the find, their condition and the condition of the decaying metal cans protecting them, it is believed that the coins were buried over a significant period of time in the late 19th century. 

After unearthing the treasure, the family contacted Kagin's senior numismatist, David McCarthy, who evaluated the coins and informed them of the significance of their discovery.

"We all dream about discovering buried treasure; seeing the real thing in person - piles of gold coins encrusted in dirt and rust  - the experience was just indescribable," said McCarthy. "Never in my wildest dreams would I imagine coins coming out of the ground in the kind of condition that I saw in front of me.  Many pieces were finer than anything known in major collections or museums."

This photo taken by the anonymous discoverers of the "Saddle Ridge Hoard" treasure trove shows one of the eight decaying metal canisters they unearthed filled with U.S. gold coins from the 1800s.  (Photo courtesy of Saddle Ridge Hoard discoverers via Kagin's, Inc.)

Each coin has been independently authenticated, graded and certified by the Professional Coin Grading Service of Irvine, Calif.  The find comprises almost 1,400 $20 gold pieces, 50 $10 gold pieces and four $5 gold pieces, all of which were struck between 1847 and 1894.  Highlights of the cache include at least 13 finest known specimens, among them an 1866-S No Motto Double Eagle valued at close to $1 million.

Other highlights include finest example or tied for finest example certified by PCGS: 1875-S graded MS64 (tied); 1877-S PCGS MS65 (tied for "top pop"); four 1888-S PCGS MS64 (tied for "top pop"); two 1889-S graded PCGS MS65 (tied for new "top pop"); and 1894-S PCGS MS65 (tied for "top pop"). 

One of the 1,411 "Saddle Ridge Hoard" buried treasure gold coins certified by PCGS is this 1886-S Liberty Head Eagle, graded PCGS MS66.  (Photo courtesy of Professional Coin Grading Service.)

A sampling of the coins with special gold-colored foil "Saddle Ridge Hoard" PCGS certification insert labels will be displayed this week at the Kagin's booth (#707) during the upcoming American Numismatic Association National Money Show in Atlanta, February 27-March 1.

"One of the great things about being involved with PCGS is the occasional 'discovery coins' we get to grade.  This is one of those fantastic discoveries!" said David Hall, Co-founder of PCGS and Collectors Universe, Inc.

"The Saddle Ridge Hoard discovery is one of the most amazing numismatic stories I've heard. This will be regarded as one of the best stories in the history of our hobby!" stated PCGS President Don Willis.

Through an exclusive arrangement with online retailer, Amazon.com, approximately 90 percent of the coins will be available for purchase at a later date via Amazon's collectibles store (www.amazon.com/collectibles). This will be the first major numismatic treasure to be sold through Amazon.

The previous largest reported find of buried gold treasure in the United States had a face value of $4,500.  It was discovered by construction workers in Jackson, Tennessee in 1985 and was eventually sold for around $1 million.  The face value of the Saddle Ridge treasure is over $28,000.

Kagin's, Inc. is the nation's oldest family-owned numismatic firm tracing their origins to 1933. The firm specializes in U.S. gold coins especially those of the gold rushes, paper currency and classic rarities. Dr. Kagin holds the first B.A. degree in numismatics and the nation's only Ph.D. in the field. 

 

For additional information contact 

Kagin's, Inc.

1550G Tiburon Boulevard #201

Tiburon, CA 94920

415-435-2601

info@kagins.com

www.kagins.com