MAN DISCOVERS TREASURE FROM 700 CIVIL WAR TIME IN HIS OWN BACKYARD
Finding buried treasure is a dream for many, but once dreamed it can actually happen. A Kentucky man who was mining in his farmland this year was shocked to find he had literally dug for gold when an ancient coin fell out of the dirt. It turns out that he has already discovered what is known as the "Great Kentucky Treasury." Buried together, his collection of over 700 gold and silver coins date from the Civil War era and provide insight into numismatic and military history.
All the coins predate his 1863, meaning they were likely buried around the same time. They are also from America. Mint Modern currency is unitary and federal, but there were many currency issuers in the pre-Civil War era. Most of the coins in the hoard are $1 gold coins from 1850 to 1862, and today the value of pure gold is much higher for collectors. In addition, the treasure trove includes approximately 20 $10 Liberty Head coins and his 8 $20 Liberty Head coins. Last but not least, we have the most exciting discovery. These are 18 ultra-rare $20 gold coins with a P Liberty head from 1863. This fantastic series of coins sell for a whopping 6-figure denomination. Unlike modern coins, the older designs do not have the inscription "In God We Trust". This was not applied to coins until after the Civil War.
The date on the coin would support such a timeline. Unfortunately, the coin has been removed from where it was found and is now a limited resource for historians. Private property owners don't have to call a local archaeologist when they find a coin, but doing so saves valuable information. "It's entirely up to the landlord," McNutt advised. Because if you miss the opportunity to study the relics at the time of discovery, it is a "snapshot of the past that will be lost forever."