A Lucky Dig in France Uncovers a Golden Surprise

In a small town in France, a man was digging a swimming pool in his garden when he stumbled upon a hidden treasure. The discovery was not just any ordinary find. It was a stash of gold worth a whopping $800, 000. The man quickly reported his find to the local authorities, who confirmed that he could keep the treasure since it was not part of an archaeological site. The treasure consisted of five gold bars and numerous coins, all neatly packed in plastic bags. Investigations revealed that the gold had been legally acquired and melted down about 15 to 20 years ago at a nearby refinery. The unique numbers on the gold bars helped the police determine that the treasure was not stolen. According to France's 19th-century civil code, treasure is defined as any hidden or buried item whose ownership cannot be proven and is discovered by chance. The code states that the finder of such treasure on their property becomes the owner. The previous owner of the garden had passed away, leaving the origin of the gold a mystery. This lucky discovery raises questions about the history of the gold and how it ended up buried in the garden. It also highlights the legal aspects of treasure hunting and the importance of reporting such finds to authorities. Such discoveries are not uncommon. In recent years, other homeowners have also found valuable treasures on their properties. For example, a couple in Northern California discovered $10 million worth of rare coins dating back to the 1800s while hiking on their land.