Storage Auctions

$ 500,000.00 pirate gold coins and bullions

$ 500,000.00 pirate gold coins and bullions
« on: November 17, 2011, 01:51:41 PM »
Finally a story that i was looking for.  Yes it had something to do with Dotsons (american auctioneers) but had nothing to do with the show Storage Wars.  Thank god.  

At least publicity is minimized with just the news but not on television.  


Quote
A San Jose man needed no treasure map when he reportedly stumbled on to $500,000 worth of gold and silver after bidding on an abandoned storage unit. The man, identified only as John, apparently paid $1,100 for the unit only to see his blind investment turn into a goldmine after a number of rare coins and a few gold and silver bars were found in the blue Rubbermaid container.

The reported find, in Contra Costa County, was so unexpected that even though the auction was held by American Auctioneers, the subject of A&E's Storage Wars, there were no cameras present when the cache was discovered.

Even without cameras Laura Dotson, the co-owner of American Auctioneers along with husband Dan, still said she was delighted.

"It helps, it solidifies what we're doing in the business," Dotson told ABCNews.com. "It shows hope that with all these units, that there is treasure to be found."

Although the buyer wants to remain anonymous, Dotson said he called her after getting the gold and silver appraised. According to Dotson, the first thing he said was, "Wow, this is a wonderful life."

A storage unit containing $500,000 in rare... View Full Size
Treasure Found at Recycling Plant Watch Video
Sunken Ship Yields Gold Bird Treasure Watch Video

In recent years storage unit auctions have gained wide-spread recognition after becoming reality fodder for shows like Storage Wars and Spike TV's Auction Hunters.

In California, where American Auctioneers is based, a storage unit is available for auction if rent has not been paid in three months. Bidders are able to view the storage unit from outside for five minutes to glean what they can, and then the bidding starts. While some units are worth little, the possibility of a big payoff draws in participants who are willing to take a chance.

John Cardoza of Storage Auction Experts, which was not involved in the auction, told ABC News that for people who know what they're doing, "Six out of seven units can make money." However, he stresses that the chance to make half a million dollars off a $1,100 bid is a bit rarer. "I hear similar stories about once a year," said Cardoza.

According to the San Francisco Chronicle, the unit was owned by a recently deceased elderly woman. Cardoza says that since the storage units must be listed in the paper prior to the auction, some bidders use names to try to decipher what's in the unit. "What some people do is, they look at the names. If it's Ethel or Myrtle, it sounds older," said Cardoza, who says an older person may have more collectibles than a younger person.

While the coins were apparently found in the unlikeliest of treasure chests -- a Rubbermaid container – it was said to have been heavy enough that three men had to carry it out.

Dotson says the plastic container initially piqued the buyer's interest, although for more pragmatic reasons. "He said that he liked it was in [plastic] and clean and easy to move," said Dotson. "It's a chance of a lifetime."

Offline jrossjr79

  • *****
  • 869
  • In it to Win it
    • MSN Messenger - jrossmakesmoney@gmail.com
    • View Profile
Re: $ 500,000.00 pirate gold coins and bullions
« Reply #1 on: November 17, 2011, 02:50:31 PM »
This is already being covered here in the forums

http://storageauctionforums.com/index.php?topic=1992.0

Re: $ 500,000.00 pirate gold coins and bullions
« Reply #2 on: November 17, 2011, 03:35:03 PM »
there was talks on assumption of someone from  SW getting the locker. 

But this one is an actual story. 

Thanks for the link..

Re: $ 500,000.00 pirate gold coins and bullions
« Reply #3 on: November 17, 2011, 10:29:58 PM »
I guess its worth repeating.

Offline jrossjr79

  • *****
  • 869
  • In it to Win it
    • MSN Messenger - jrossmakesmoney@gmail.com
    • View Profile
Re: $ 500,000.00 pirate gold coins and bullions
« Reply #4 on: November 18, 2011, 07:37:56 AM »
ya, like three times? lol

Offline bwd111

  • *****
  • 686
    • View Profile
Re: $ 500,000.00 pirate gold coins and bullions
« Reply #5 on: November 18, 2011, 10:24:31 AM »
ya, like three times? lol
Make it four! Im not driving.  :D. Twice is toooo many.


xx
Has anyone gotten gold coins (or gold in general) in quantity ?

Started by MovieMan

5 Replies
2784 Views
Last post December 23, 2013, 08:03:08 PM
by auctionguy
xx
Breaking bad and Pirate Gold

Started by mhuynh9

1 Replies
1708 Views
Last post October 04, 2013, 04:55:56 PM
by rulesforrebels
xx
Old Book and Gold Coins

Started by CKnuth1

11 Replies
5563 Views
Last post December 08, 2011, 07:20:57 PM
by CKnuth1
xx
10 Million Dollars in Gold Coins Found in Primitive Storage Container

Started by MovieMan

6 Replies
3437 Views
Last post March 17, 2014, 04:43:11 AM
by EdwardThirlwall