I would of thought that the coinage would of been worth more.
Still an amazing recovery and one that a tear or 2 could be shed in the joy.
What's so cool it was buried 6-8 inches down. Most every detector would of picked up that cache.
Must really suck trying to sell a detection device that can detect 20-80 ft down.
Actually, after proper cleaning by a professional, value should increase by several times. Quite a bit of rust adhering to the coins from decades in the soil, in a steel can, is not a good look. Proper preservation is key to best auction value.
Clean the coins and the story is destroyed - reminds me of the Double Eagles found in San Francisco when an office building was under construction in the SOMA. The coins were blackened from the '06 Fire and Earthquake. Cleaned, they were certainly nice coins - but no different from any outher nice $20 gold pieces.