Good As Gold: Builders in France Discover Stash of 239 Gold Coins Worth Up To $356,000, Get to Keep Half
Three builders struck gold while working on the restoration of a house in Plozévet, Brittany, in the coastal area of Bigouden in 2019, according to a press release from auctioneers Deloys ahead of the sale. The estate had been purchased by a couple in 2012.
While combining a barn with a nursery, the builders came across a metal box lodged inside of a wall, which had gold coins inside. Three days later, they found a purse above a beam that contained another bunch of coins.
The treasure amounted to approximately 239 coins in total that were minted during the reign of Louis XIII and Louis XIV. The Regional Preventive Archaeology Service in France authenticated, analyzed and researched the coins. The oldest dates back to 1638, while the most recent is from 1692.
The collection includes a set of especially rare coins, including the Golden Louis with Templar Cross, Golden Louis with a long curl, and Louis XIV by the Atelier de Dijon — which has an estimated value of $17,805.
The manor was originally built in the 13th century and would have likely been owned by a family of wealthy merchants or farmers. The identity of the last known occupants stems from the 18th century.
The precise value of the coins will be determined at Deloys auction house in Angers, France on Sept. 29. The money will be split between the three builders who discovered the coins along with the two owners of the home, with each group receiving half of the funds.
Image source: The Local France
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