A shrewd shopper who purchased an old safe for £12.99 found himself nearly £30,000 wealthier after inspecting its contents. Upon spotting the safe listed online, the man decided to invest in it.
Upon examining the safe at home, he uncovered a 250-gram gold bar concealed in a hidden compartment, a surprising discovery for the resident of Trostberg in Bavaria. The gold bar is estimated to be valued at around £28,500 based on current market rates. Authorities believe the bar was inadvertently left inside the safe.
Concerned about the legality of the situation, the man reached out to the police for guidance. The seller of the safe, acting on behalf of his 90-year-old grandfather, who likely forgot the ingot inside, was contacted by the police. It is now up to the buyer and seller to determine the gold bar’s ownership or seek resolution through civil channels with legal assistance.
Notably, in 2016, a teenage girl discovered a gold bar while swimming in Koenigssee lake in Germany, sparking rumors of hidden Nazi treasures. However, officials clarified that the bar was from a different era and not linked to Nazi activities. Despite efforts to locate more gold in the area, no further discoveries were made.
In a separate incident, a municipal worker in east Germany stumbled upon 10 gold bars while mowing lawns. As no credible ownership claims were made within the allotted time, the town near Dresden is permitted to retain the bars. Plans are underway to distribute the proceeds to local community clubs, benefiting youth initiatives and preserving local traditions.
The gold bars are currently under police custody and are valued at approximately £34,600 in today’s market.