Considering that these folks found the stash ON THEIR OWN PROPERTY I think they've got a foot up on Mel Fisher. Still... With the state of the California economy I wouldn't be surprised to see the state try to take possession of the find with some kind of legal action. It's just the kind of thing that the bureaucrats would try to do. These people should be left alone to enjoy their good fortune. Even if it was stolen from the mint way back when, the statute of limitations on that crime would have run out. It's easy to see that they were not the ones that stole it and at the very least, if they have to turn it into the government then they should get a sizable reward. Now... If I had been the one to find something like that.... I'd have kept my mouth shut and sold off the coins one at a time. Considering that from what I've read on this story, many of the coins were in mint condition and will bring many MANY time their face value. That's my 2 cents on this one.....
Understood but who gets to decide what the coins are worth ? Like I said, many are unique in the fact that they are the finest examples known. You can't very well use past auction records as a way of deciding value. Many many grey areas with this case. I'm thinking the ones who will profit the most will be the lawyers.They would pay on value of coins today. Like any asset if you sell it down the road you owe taxes on the profit... If you win a car on a game show you pay taxes on it, if you hold that car for 10 years and for what ever reason it becomes a collectible and you sell it for 3 times what it was worth when you won it you owe taxes on the profit realized.. American by birth, Patriot by choice. I would rather die standing on my two feet defending our Constitution than live a lifetime on my knees......
Don't forget our friendly local, state and federal tax agencies. They'll get a chunk of it and give it to the greenies....in our best interest of course.Understood but who gets to decide what the coins are worth ? Like I said, many are unique in the fact that they are the finest examples known. You can't very well use past auction records as a way of deciding value. Many many grey areas with this case. I'm thinking the ones who will profit the most will be the lawyers.