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Serpo
15th July 2011, 01:35 PM
A French couple have found a hoard of gold coins worth at least 100,000 euros (£89,000; $140,000) in the cellar of their home in the town of Millau.

They were working on their drains when they dug up the 34 coins in a little clay pot, French media said.

The coins date from 1595 to the French Revolution, which began in 1789, said a local coin expert who evaluated them.

The most valuable is a double louis from 1640, during the reign of Louis XIII, worth 6,500 euros.

The coin expert, Marc Aigouy, told AFP news agency that he offered either to buy the coins from the couple or to organise an auction on their behalf.

He said if American and Japanese buyers participated, the coins could fetch at least 100,000 euros.

Mr Aigouy said the couple wish to remain anonymous but they live on rue Droite, an old Roman road which is the oldest street in Millau, in southern France.

Under French law, the couple are allowed to keep the treasure because it was found on their own property, Mr Aigouy said.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-14080228

chad
15th July 2011, 01:51 PM
Under French law, the couple are allowed to keep the treasure because it was found on their own property, Mr Aigouy said.

and pay 70% tax on it.

palani
15th July 2011, 01:53 PM
Why are we even reading this? Are the French so dumb as to not know when to keep quiet?

Serpo
15th July 2011, 02:03 PM
Why are we even reading this? Are the French so dumb as to not know when to keep quiet?

Looks that way....then again if they get to keep why not tell everyone

Spectrism
15th July 2011, 02:06 PM
Stupid: "Hey, I found gold coins in my basement. May I keep them?"
Government: "Come here and lick my boots. Now what did you find?"
Stupid: "Gold coins in a pot. Look, see?"
Government: "Ah yes. You may keep them, uhhh, lick my boots while I am talking to you. And the tax assessor is on the way."

Joe King
15th July 2011, 02:44 PM
Why are we even reading this? Are the French so dumb as to not know when to keep quiet?Obviously not.

Joe King
15th July 2011, 02:45 PM
Looks that way....then again if they get to keep why not tell everyone

Because they still only get 30%? That's getting a finders fee from the real owner.

vacuum
15th July 2011, 03:06 PM
I guess one could argue the numismatic value far exceeds the actual gold value, so by publicizing it (especially in such a romantic way), they are likely to get more for them.

Dogman
15th July 2011, 03:32 PM
I guess one could argue the numismatic value far exceeds the actual gold value, so by publicizing it (especially in such a romantic way), they are likely to get more for them.

Bingo! Historical , and being as rare as hens teeth , can drive the price of those coins , past Jupiter.

ximmy
15th July 2011, 03:45 PM
BS...
private sale $75,000... $75,000 net
public sale $140,000... $60,000 net (after taxes)

Joe King
15th July 2011, 03:49 PM
It just depends upon which 30% ends up being more, I suppose.

madfranks
16th July 2011, 08:37 AM
If you're going to sell something like that, just say it was a very old heirloom passed down from your grandparents to you. Then publicize it all you want.

madfranks
16th July 2011, 08:38 AM
A French couple have found a hoard of gold coins worth at least 100,000 euros (£89,000; $140,000) in the cellar of their home in the town of Millau.

Here's the pic from the news source:

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