It's a bit like a dream that many people would like to see come true: to find a huge treasure without having to leave home or scratch off a Euromillions ticket. Do you think this only happens in fairytales? Well, that's what happened to a farmer in Kentucky.
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The Great Kentucky Hoard
How long had this treasure been lying dormant at the bottom of this cornfield, lost in the American countryside? Thanks to the analysis of archaeologists, we now know that this treasure of 700 gold coins dates back to the American Civil War.
Held in a cache, the 'Great Kentucky Hoard' comprises hundreds of coins dating from 1840 to 1863. Our unwilling treasure hunter testifies in a short video, still reeling from the shock of such a discovery.
The jackpot has been authenticated
He explains:
It's the most insane thing ever: These are all $1, $20 and $10 gold coins.
The treasure is as certified by the Numismatic Guaranty Corporation, an international coin grading and certification service. The vast majority of the treasure consists of $1 coins. There are also some twenty $10 coins and eight $20 coins. But that's not all.
Kentucky man finds over 700 Civil War-era coins buried in his cornfield https://t.co/UJKEZZpUdZ
— Live Science (@LiveScience) July 10, 2023
The pieces are very rare
Indeed, one coin in particular caught the eye of researchers. According to Numismatic, one of the $20 'Liberty' coins is extremely rare. It could even fetch a six-figure price at auction, according to the organization.
According to Ryan McNutt, archaeologist and conflict specialist at Georgia Southern University. He testifies to Live Science:
Given the period and the location in Kentucky, which was neutral at the time, it's entirely possible that this hoard was buried before the raid by Confederate John Hunt Morgan, between June and July 1863.
Based on historical studies, we know that the inhabitants of Kentucky used to bury some of their property and savings so as not to have them stolen by the Confederates. The old locals simply forgot to get their money back.
This article has been translated from Gentside FR.
Read more:
⋙ 800-year-old treasure discovered in Viking settlement by amateur metal detectorist
⋙ This couple found £300k treasure while renovating their kitchen (PHOTO)
⋙ Archeologists discover treasure in Spain containing extraterrestrial metal (PHOTO)
Sources used:
LiveScience: Kentucky man finds over 700 Civil War-era coins buried in his cornfield
Daily Mail: Striking gold! Kentucky Man discovers 700 rare coins thought to be worth MILLIONS buried in his farm - so, how do YOU know if you're sitting on a fortune?
