I copied the photo, pasted it into Photoshop and counted the coins as best I could – could only count 72 but estimate the haul was around 100 coins.
Only recognized two coins from the late 1800’s, the rest looked like they were early 1900’s.
As gold coins go, Sovereigns have little collectable value and are usually sold for a few dollars over spot – regardless of their age.
The Sovereign has 0.2354 ounces of gold per coin, current spot price $1233 per ounce.
23.54 ounces at spot equals $29,024.00.
After taxes substantially less, hardly a life changing amount. Unless what is pictured is bag 1 of 100 or so bags …
Yes, sovereigns (and napoleons, etc) are basically traded as bullion coins. Collectors have not seemed to take an interest in them.
As I understand it, in Britain, found, hidden valuables can be declared “treasure” by the coroner. The Crown owns all treasure—however the crown will pay full value to the finder for anything it wants to keep. This comes up when someone finds a bunch of Roman coins in a field. The important coins will go to a local museum, the less important ones are returned to the finder. System works because the government does pay fair value. There is a difference between ‘lost’ and ‘hidden’. Since these coins were stashed in a bag, they were obviously hidden.
In the case of these gold coins, the coroner will try to find the legitimate owner and if he or she can’t be determined, the lucky piano owner will get to keep the coins.
(At least I think this is how this ‘treasure trove’ business works.)