Gold coin auction brings $3.5 million

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CARSON CITY, Nev., Feb. 27 (UPI) -- Recluse Walter Samaszko Jr.'s gold coins, found after his death, brought in more than $3.5 million in a Carson City, Nev., auction.

About half the collection, found neatly organized and labeled after the death of Samaszko, 69, in June, was offered in the Tuesday auction, the Carson City Appeal said Wednesday, noting his wealth was never suspected until a crew sent to clean out his home discovered the trove of coins.

A total of 9,644 coins were auctioned at the Carson Courthouse, the majority of the lots obtained by Carson City coin dealer Allen Rowe.

Howard Herz said he has appraised other collections after an owner's death, but never one this large.

"It's a very well-managed investment in gold," he said.

The rest of the coins will be auctioned or sold at a later date, the newspaper said.