The Gold Rush and Gold Treasure that has the "Golden State" Living Up to Its Name

Aimee Herd : Feb 27, 2014
Staff – KaginsInc.com

"…it was a very surreal moment. It was very hard to believe at first. I thought any second an old miner with a mule was going to appear."

"It is the glory of God to conceal a thing, but the glory of kings is to search out a thing." -Prov. 25:2

(California)—The drought that So Cal has been experiencing has led to at least one nice side effect: gold. (Photo via CBS Local/KCAL)

According to reports, the drastically decreased water levels have exposed areas previously untouched by prospectors, and in some cases, the conditions have yielded some significant results.

Kevin Hoagland, with the Gold Prospectors Association of America, noted that the numbers of those panning for gold have increased lately.
"A lot of time you would just see a husband. Now you're seeing the whole family out," said Hoagland.

However, one shouldn't 'quit the day job' just yet…

"While you may not make a fortune, it's a great way to spend time with the family," Hoagland told CBS Local LA, adding that while beginners may find $5 in the precious metal, they could get lucky, taking home as much as $200 worth. (Photo via CBS Local/KCAL)

Could it be another great Gold Rush like that of 1849?

In another gold-related story reported in recent news, a California couple made an unbelievable find on their own rural Sierra Nevada property, last spring, while walking their dog.

Going by the names "John" and "Mary," this middle-aged couple had noticed the edges of a rusty can sticking up from the ground and decided to investigate. (Photo via Kagin's Inc)

They dug out the can and were shocked to discover that it was filled with mint-condition gold coins. Returning to the site, they found seven more cans, also filled with the valuable coins.

"…it was a very surreal moment. It was very hard to believe at first. I thought any second an old miner with a mule was going to appear," said John in an interview on the Kagin's Inc. website (the numismatic firm that is representing them). (Photo via Kagin's Inc)

The gold coins date back to the mid to late 1800s. And when the couple finally had them appraised, the total value of the buried treasure in their yard was estimated at $10 million.

John and Mary were asked in the interview, what they would do with the coins, and if the remarkable find would change their lifestyle.
Said John, "No–we're self-employed–the beautiful thing about self-employment is that you can go to your grave self-employed."

Mary added, "We're the same people we were before, just with more freedom of choice. Our finances won't have to dictate so many of our day to day decisions. We love our lives as they are–I hope we can help our family members and our community and give back some." (Photo via Kagin's Inc)

Noting that the discovery is likely the "greatest buried treasure ever found in North America," the couple was asked if they had anything to say to others about finding such a thing…

Mary answered, "Whatever answers you seek, they might be right at home! The answer to our difficulties was right there under our feet for years. Don't be above bending over to check on a rusty can!!!!"