Handyman finds secret gold stash in kitchen

[born_cross_eyed]

http://www.thelocal.de/society/20120214-40735.html

A German handyman renovating the kitchen of a woman who had recently died, opened what he thought was a bag of rubbish to find coins and gold bars worth at least €100,000.

“I have never held so much gold and silver in my hand before,” he told the Hannoversche Allgemeine Zeitung paper on Tuesday.

“I didn’t think for a second about not handing it in. Only when I was talking about the find was I asked over and over again why I gave it in,” said the 38-year-old.

He said he and a colleague had pulled up an old lino flooring of the kitchen of a flat in Hannover and were clearing out under the kitchen units to make space for tiles, when he found a plastic bag.

“We thought it was a rubbish or replacement pieces of the kitchen which had been stored there,” he said.

But the bag was full of Australian golden coins, gold nuggets stamped with Degussa, and a host of silver coins as well as silver cutlery wrapped in newspaper.

“To find such treasure, it is an odd feeling,” said the handyman.

He contacted the property management company which immediately got in touch with the dead woman’s family. Although there has not yet been explicit talk of a reward for the honest handyman, the family have ensured they got his details, the Hannoversche Allgemeine Zeitung said.

The Local/hc

[TnAndy]

yeah, I guess I would....but I really couldn't say "in a second without thinking about it"......

[TylerDurden]

I would have...you know what they say about karma.

[REO 54]

I replied yes.However,if the situation was differnent,like a house demo with no hiers and I'm working for a management company with no salvage rights....I might choose differently..

[WhyKnow]

How hard is it to track down some heirs without letting everyone know?

[REO 54]

How hard is it to track down some heirs without letting everyone know?

Ask questions with a different pretense in mind? Like, "hey I found some old photo's"......

[GodspeedMetals]

"Do unto others..."

[ShirleyUGeste]

May each person who participates in this poll be on the receiving end of his/her own character!

[born_cross_eyed]

I would have...you know what they say about karma.

I'm not saying it is right to take the gold. It certainly would be dishonest. But do you actually believe in "karma" as some sort of supernatural force? The banksters who have been rewarded for bringing the world to the economic brink certainly tells a different story.

[arminius]

do you actually believe in "karma" as some sort of supernatural force?

Absolutely, 'do unto others as you would have done unto you' is the golden rule,and the basis of almost all true law...

The banksters who have been rewarded for bringing the world to the economic brink certainly tells a different story.

And they will face their retribution one day...

[Juristic Person]

Peace of mind is more valuable than any amount of gold.

[Silver]

The closest I ever came to finding treasure was when I found $20 bills rolled up real tight and hidden in the grooves in the casework on the inside of a chest of drawers - the piece had been my great Uncle's and I inherited it. I was cleaning it up and my eye caught something in the grooves - I pried it out and unrolled it and it was a $20 from the 1940's - there were about 15 of them hidden in there.

They were mine :] I thanked my Uncle.

[Goldhedge]

It looks like that old relic is worth something in more than one person's mind...


Of course, the Germans do have prior experience with hyperinflation....

[Pyramid]

If your answer to the poll question is "no, I would keep the gold," you probably have no business being a member of this forum.

Honesty is the best policy. The deceased individual exchanged hard-earned fiat to gold to presumably protect their puchasing power and have a legitimate long-term investment that will outperform stocks, bonds, cash etc.. The "handyman" performed the correct and honorable action and was respectful of the family, we need more people like that.

[Not Sure]

May each person who participates in this poll be on the receiving end of his/her own character!

If the legal owner of the gold is a natural person, yes; if a bank or other corporation, no.

[Irons]

Ummmmm....ummmmmmm...GAH! I'm working on it but my inner gold hoor is taking over.............

[Lawrence]

In a situation like that I'd always give it back. It's theft if you don't.

Now, if I was metal detecting on public land and found a drum of gold buried by who-knows 100 years ago, all bets are off.

[Irons]

In a situation like that I'd always give it back. It's theft if you don't.

Now, if I was metal detecting on public land and found a drum of gold buried by who-knows 100 years ago, all bets are off.

Stop being so freakin' logical!!..I'm having a real struggle here!

[Gcubed]

In a situation like that I'd always give it back. It's theft if you don't.

Now, if I was metal detecting on public land and found a drum of gold buried by who-knows 100 years ago, all bets are off.

Hmmm...

Perhaps the insurance company that covered the loss of the possibly stolen booty would have a legitimate claim. Sorry Irons, maybe you would get a reward? 3 percent or so?

[Irons]

Hmmm...

Perhaps the insurance company that covered the loss of the possibly stolen booty would have a legitimate claim. Sorry Irons, maybe you would get a reward? 3 percent or so?

3% of what? I have no idea what you're talking about.

[Lawrence]

I remember someone on another board found an old moonshiner's cache. Hundreds of thousands in gold and silver. He managed to stay out of legal trouble but he wishes he hadn't even told his lawyer and coin dealer after the fees he ended up with.

[platinumdude]

Who knows if he kept a 10 percent finders fee. Also maybe there is more gold hidden in other places in that house.

[vintage collector]

Who knows if he kept a 10 percent finders fee. Also maybe there is more gold hidden in other places in that house.

Thats what I was thinking. Who knows if he didn't take a couple of coins off the top before turning in the balance of them.

If he did he must lose them and sell them on the hush otherwise he will be labeled a thief.

[gliddenralston]

Its amazing how many posters claim honesty on a public forum.

[GodspeedMetals]

Its amazing how many posters claim honesty on a public forum.

haha, you'd be surprised how many honest people there are in this world. Lost my wallet in Edmonton once, the credit card company got a call from an old lady. She took it home with her to ensure no one would steal it. I arrived and she handed me my wallet, $1,000 cash, credit cards, etc... all there. I offered her $300 for a reward - she flat out refused the money.

[Lawrence]

I lost my wallet on the train last year. Cards, CCW permit, $100 in cash, passport card, everything. Four days later the lost & found in the city called me. A conductor had found the wallet and turned it in. Every last dollar was in there. Things like that keep me honest.

[Juristic Person]

Its amazing how many posters claim honesty on a public forum.

In other words, YOU would have kept the gold, right?

[Tinbox]

In other words, YOU would have kept the gold, right?

no one really knows for sure until the situation actually happens.

[TylerDurden]

haha, you'd be surprised how many honest people there are in this world. Lost my wallet in Edmonton once, the credit card company got a call from an old lady. She took it home with her to ensure no one would steal it. I arrived and she handed me my wallet, $1,000 cash, credit cards, etc... all there. I offered her $300 for a reward - she flat out refused the money.

I've lost my wallet twice and have had similiar experiences each time. Both people contacted me to let me know they had found it and neither would accept any money for their troubles. The one guy actually had to mail it to me (I left it in a cabin I was staying at on vacation) and he wouldn't even use the money I had in the wallet to pay for the shipping charges. There are good people out there still.

[Mujahideen]

Im 100% sure I would have taken all the gold IF the lady was dead and not told anyone. I know its wrong, sorry.

[arminius]

Its amazing how many posters claim honesty on a public forum.

It's amazing how many people have fallen prey to the current cultures propaganda that all other people are thieves, dishonest, and live only for whatever money they can obtain, by whatever means...

[Silver]

Im 100% sure I would have taken all the gold IF the lady was dead and not told anyone. I know its wrong, sorry.

Valid, point - the lady was indeed dead and she obviously didn't want her family to have the gold, or she would have told them where it was or given instructions on the event of her death in her will or a letter.

I've given instructions to my children.

[Silver]

There was a man named John who lived in a small town in the lower plains of Texas. He was an extremely devoted Christian man and loved by many. He went to church every Sunday, read his Bible daily, and never denied giving help to all those within his reach. The faith he demonstrated in God was unsurpassed anywhere in Texas and should make us all positively envious!

One year, the rainy season came with much more rain than anyone could remember. The dams, dikes, and flood control channels were filled to capacity. The weather people predicted the worst storm of the season was on its way. The authorities called for the voluntary evacuation of John's town. Immediately the panic went out!

People started cleaning the stores out of food and water and heading for higher ground. John's heart went out to his neighbors and their current plight. He assured them all that God would protect them all if they trusted in Him. John stood outside his house as his neighbors were packing their cars, trucks, and RVs. His next door neighbor and best friend asked him why he was not packing up. John said, "Because God will take care of me!"

The heavy rain of the newest storm came as predicted. Quickly the streets began to flood as the water had nowhere else to go. John decided to walk across the street to get a better view of what was happening. All the previous rains had already compromised the asphalt John was walking on. John quickly sunk into a sink hole that formed under his feet. He tried without success to get himself out, but, he was stuck.

John said to himself, "This is not good. Not good at all!" He had sunk down to his knees and the water was rising. He decided not to panic. He lifted his hands towards heaven and began to pray. "Dear Lord", John said, "I am in a serious predicament here. I trust in you more than anything in this world and know you will get me out. All things in life happen for your glory."

His best friend saw him in the sink hole as he was preparing his exit out of town. The waters were rising fast! "John", his friend said, "Give me your hand and I will pull you out of there!" John said, "NO! All things happen for the glory of God. He will get me out. I believe His word."

His friend, fearful of the fast rising water, decided not to argue with him and made it towards higher ground. He did not have time to convince John otherwise since his family was in danger. John prayed a second time as the cold waters rose to his waist. "Dear Lord", John said, "I trust in you and know you will get me out of here. All things in life happen for your glory and I ask you to use me as your instrument and example for others."

A stranger in a boat then came rowing on by. "Give me your hand, buddy, and I will pull you into my boat." John said, "NO! God will work his glory here today." The stranger shook his head in disbelief and rowed away. John prayed a third time as the waters rose to his neck. "Dear Lord", John said, "I continue to trust in you and know you will get me out of this mess. All things in life happen for your glory and I call on my faith in you to get me out, in Jesus' name I ask this."

A rescue team in a helicopter then flew over head. A member of the County Search and Rescue Team hung down from a rope ladder. The man said, "Give me your hand, Sir, and I will pull you up out of there." John said, "NO! God will work his glory here today." The rescue crew chief yelled down and asked what was the hold up. "If he does not want to come up, we do not have time to waste. I can see a lady on a roof with three kids who need our help." So, off they flew.

The water soon went over John's head and he drowned. John's soul was quickly taken up by the angels and taken before the throne of Almighty God. God questioned John, "Are you not happy to be here, my child?" John replied that he was extremely happy to be in the full presence of God, but, he was troubled.

John said, "I do not understand, Lord. I prayed for help three times, I believed, did not doubt in you one little bit, yet, you let me drown and die. Was it weakness in my faith that led me to this, Lord?"

God shook His mighty head and said to John, "My child, when you turned to my Son and became a Christian, I put my eternal mark on you. I love you dearly and would never leave you no matter what trials or hardships you encountered. BUT YOU FOOL! Three times you prayed for my help and three times I sent someone to help you. Each time you foolishly refused the help I sent!"

The moral of this story being that we can always trust in God when we commit our lives to Him. However, we must always be open minded to the ways He chooses to help us. Most of the time the way He helps us may require some work on our part.

[Usury]

If the legal owner of the gold is a natural person, yes; if a bank or other corporation, no.

When I saw the title of the poll/post I couldn't help but think to myself "I'll bet Not Sure will have some reason to not turn in the gold"...

very sad indeed....

[Usury]

Valid, point - the lady was indeed dead and she obviously didn't want her family to have the gold, or she would have told them where it was or given instructions on the event of her death in her will or a letter.

I've given instructions to my children.

That's just ridiculous....what if she bought it that morning and keeled over from a heart attack before having a chance to put it in a her permanent spot and leaving instructions? What if she did tell her kids but in her senility moved it and forgot where she put it and so they could never find it?

By your logic, everyone that lost their wallet didn't really want the stuff inside anyway, huh?

[Usury]

There was a man named John who lived in a small town in the lower plains of Texas. He was an extremely devoted Christian man and loved by many. He went to church every Sunday, read his Bible daily, and never denied giving help to all those within his reach. The faith he demonstrated in God was unsurpassed anywhere in Texas and should make us all positively envious!

One year, the rainy season came with much more rain than anyone could remember. The dams, dikes, and flood control channels were filled to capacity. The weather people predicted the worst storm of the season was on its way. The authorities called for the voluntary evacuation of John's town. Immediately the panic went out!

People started cleaning the stores out of food and water and heading for higher ground. John's heart went out to his neighbors and their current plight. He assured them all that God would protect them all if they trusted in Him. John stood outside his house as his neighbors were packing their cars, trucks, and RVs. His next door neighbor and best friend asked him why he was not packing up. John said, "Because God will take care of me!"

The heavy rain of the newest storm came as predicted. Quickly the streets began to flood as the water had nowhere else to go. John decided to walk across the street to get a better view of what was happening. All the previous rains had already compromised the asphalt John was walking on. John quickly sunk into a sink hole that formed under his feet. He tried without success to get himself out, but, he was stuck.

John said to himself, "This is not good. Not good at all!" He had sunk down to his knees and the water was rising. He decided not to panic. He lifted his hands towards heaven and began to pray. "Dear Lord", John said, "I am in a serious predicament here. I trust in you more than anything in this world and know you will get me out. All things in life happen for your glory."

His best friend saw him in the sink hole as he was preparing his exit out of town. The waters were rising fast! "John", his friend said, "Give me your hand and I will pull you out of there!" John said, "NO! All things happen for the glory of God. He will get me out. I believe His word."

His friend, fearful of the fast rising water, decided not to argue with him and made it towards higher ground. He did not have time to convince John otherwise since his family was in danger. John prayed a second time as the cold waters rose to his waist. "Dear Lord", John said, "I trust in you and know you will get me out of here. All things in life happen for your glory and I ask you to use me as your instrument and example for others."

A stranger in a boat then came rowing on by. "Give me your hand, buddy, and I will pull you into my boat." John said, "NO! God will work his glory here today." The stranger shook his head in disbelief and rowed away. John prayed a third time as the waters rose to his neck. "Dear Lord", John said, "I continue to trust in you and know you will get me out of this mess. All things in life happen for your glory and I call on my faith in you to get me out, in Jesus' name I ask this."

A rescue team in a helicopter then flew over head. A member of the County Search and Rescue Team hung down from a rope ladder. The man said, "Give me your hand, Sir, and I will pull you up out of there." John said, "NO! God will work his glory here today." The rescue crew chief yelled down and asked what was the hold up. "If he does not want to come up, we do not have time to waste. I can see a lady on a roof with three kids who need our help." So, off they flew.

The water soon went over John's head and he drowned. John's soul was quickly taken up by the angels and taken before the throne of Almighty God. God questioned John, "Are you not happy to be here, my child?" John replied that he was extremely happy to be in the full presence of God, but, he was troubled.

John said, "I do not understand, Lord. I prayed for help three times, I believed, did not doubt in you one little bit, yet, you let me drown and die. Was it weakness in my faith that led me to this, Lord?"

God shook His mighty head and said to John, "My child, when you turned to my Son and became a Christian, I put my eternal mark on you. I love you dearly and would never leave you no matter what trials or hardships you encountered. BUT YOU FOOL! Three times you prayed for my help and three times I sent someone to help you. Each time you foolishly refused the help I sent!"

The moral of this story being that we can always trust in God when we commit our lives to Him. However, we must always be open minded to the ways He chooses to help us. Most of the time the way He helps us may require some work on our part.

So the gold was the handyman's gift from God???

[Usury]

I remember someone on another board found an old moonshiner's cache. Hundreds of thousands in gold and silver. He managed to stay out of legal trouble but he wishes he hadn't even told his lawyer and coin dealer after the fees he ended up with.

Yikes...that sounds rough (if it was on his own land), but I was actually thinking that besides being, dishonest, immoral and bad karma, taking the gold would in fact be illegal. Anyone doing this better sleep with one eye open...definitely not for me.

[Silver]

That's just ridiculous....what if she bought it that morning and keeled over from a heart attack before having a chance to put it in a her permanent spot and leaving instructions? What if she did tell her kids but in her senility moved it and forgot where she put it and so they could never find it?

By your logic, everyone that lost their wallet didn't really want the stuff inside anyway, huh?

What if it was there for years and she never told anybody - what would that mean?
What if she didn't care what happened to it after she died? Lots of people are that way.

A lost wallet is not even close to hiding gold and not trusting anyone enough to tell them where it was hidden.

[Silver]

So the gold was the handyman's gift from God???

God works in mysterious ways

[Gcubed]

The handyman happened upon a stash on someone elses property. It was not his to take. I would consider it theft to remove it. JMHO.

[TiKi]

The gold belongs to the heirs if there are no heirs than it belongs to the property owner.The gentleman that found it deserves a hefty finder's fee.

[andial]

I would have just left the Gold there, repatched the wall or floor, installed the cabinets back over the Gold and not said a word.

[stAGgering]

I would research legality of situation, previous public records of discoveries, owner/family history and current

owner/family financial condition, and kept until rational decision was made. I would not tell any authority figure/position

in order defend privacy of bullion ownership and avoid poisonous taxes. Finally, I would keep 10% as finders fee if return

was chosen. Thus refuse any offer, given after the return was made.

I have found and returned very expensive items, kind(small) rewards given.

I have lost my wallet once while

motorcycling at extreme speed past many vehicles. One man say my wallet fly away, stopped and picked it up, called

and refused 1/3 of money, and even a six pack of beer.

The fact the family did NOT know of the savings? Do not assume the old lady was the individual who had placed the

coinage there. Again, research the family/owner. One finds may be a gift to share with others who may need. Rather

than give unto those who do not know what is theirs. Gramma never told. If they were rich... funk 'em.

[Gcubed]

It is interesting to me how some people would rationalize the taking of property that belongs to others.

[minimus]

[Lawrence]

I think I'll use this thread to determine who I invite to my next summer BBQ. Don't want someone stumbling across my stack and taking a finder's fee for telling me about it, or deciding I'm not worthy of the money.

[Silver]

I think I'll use this thread to determine who I invite to my next summer BBQ. Don't want someone stumbling across my stack and taking a finder's fee for telling me about it, or deciding I'm not worthy of the money.

If you really believe the proclamations of people claiming piousness on the internet, you might be naive. Finding treasure and keeping it or believing property that was acquired by killing the former inhabitants, even if paid for further down the line, is without taint, then, it is only a matter of time before everything is cleansed of sin. Even the gold in the dead lady's stash has a high probability of having stolen gold within it. The gold stolen from the New World was melted down, it is untraceable - but it is part of the gold supply. So is the gold stolen from the American people in 1933, it was melted down too - and is part of the current gold in circulation.

The only ones that really know what they would do in similar circumstances are the ones that have experienced it - and wallet returning doesn't count.

All the people with metal detectors are looking for treasure - and if no one else knows about it, I bet they keep it.

[Gcubed]

If you really believe the proclamations of people claiming piousness on the internet, you might be naive. Finding treasure and keeping it or believing property that was acquired by killing the former inhabitants, even if paid for further down the line, is without taint, then, it is only a matter of time before everything is cleansed of sin. Even the gold in the dead lady's stash has a high probability of having stolen gold within it. The gold stolen from the New World was melted down, it is untraceable - but it is part of the gold supply. So is the gold stolen from the American people in 1933, it was melted down too - and is part of the current gold in circulation.

The only ones that really know what they would do in similar circumstances are the ones that have experienced it - and wallet returning doesn't count.

All the people with metal detectors are looking for treasure - and if no one else knows about it, I bet they keep it.

It is interesting to me how some people would rationalize the taking of property that belongs to others. The stash was on PRIVATE property.

[Lawrence]

If you really believe the proclamations of people claiming piousness on the internet, you might be naive. Finding treasure and keeping it or believing property that was acquired by killing the former inhabitants, even if paid for further down the line, is without taint, then, it is only a matter of time before everything is cleansed of sin. Even the gold in the dead lady's stash has a high probability of having stolen gold within it. The gold stolen from the New World was melted down, it is untraceable - but it is part of the gold supply. So is the gold stolen from the American people in 1933, it was melted down too - and is part of the current gold in circulation.

The only ones that really know what they would do in similar circumstances are the ones that have experienced it - and wallet returning doesn't count.

All the people with metal detectors are looking for treasure - and if no one else knows about it, I bet they keep it.

By this logic you could justify killing me for my metal. You're off the BBQ list.

[Silver]

By this logic you could justify killing me for my metal. You're off the BBQ list.

Dang it! I love me some BBQ:]