Saddle Ridge Hoard: 1,427 gold coins found on a California property
A California couple walking their dog in 2013 discovered a rusted can on their own property, leading to the excavation of eight containers holding 1,427 gold coins minted between 1847 and 1894—almost all in near‑uncirculated condition and ultimately valued at around $10 million. The find, known as the Saddle Ridge Hoard, sparked debate over whether it was linked to a historic 1901 theft from the San Francisco Mint, but coin experts and federal officials dismissed the theory due to mismatched dates, denominations, and mint records. The couple, identified only as John and Mary, were legally entitled to keep the treasure but faced a substantial tax burden, with nearly half the value treated as ordinary income. Most of the coins were later sold through an exclusive arrangement with Amazon, including several exceptionally rare pieces worth hundreds of thousands of dollars.