A clever shopper purchased an old safe for £12.99 and unexpectedly found himself nearly £30,000 wealthier upon inspecting its contents. After spotting the safe listed online, he decided to invest in the second-hand item.
Upon opening the safe at home, the man uncovered a 250-gram gold bar concealed within a hidden compartment. Residing in Trostberg, Bavaria, he never anticipated making such a valuable find.
Valued at approximately £28,500 based on current gold prices, authorities speculate that the gold bar was likely left inside the safe unintentionally. The buyer, concerned about legal implications, reached out to the police for guidance on the matter.
According to Trostberg police spokesman Nicolai Weiss, the safe’s seller, acting on behalf of his 90-year-old grandfather, who unintentionally left the gold bar inside, was contacted and informed of the situation. It is now the responsibility of the buyer and seller to determine the gold bar’s ownership.
Weiss elaborated that both parties must come to a mutual agreement on the gold’s ownership or resolve the matter through legal channels with the assistance of a solicitor. This incident is not the first remarkable discovery in the region, as a similar incident occurred in 2016 when a teenage girl found a gold bar while swimming in Koenigssee lake.
Despite rumors linking the gold bar to Nazi treasures hidden in the lake, German officials clarified that the bar belonged to a different historical era. Efforts to locate the bar’s rightful owner using modern technology are underway.
In another instance, a municipal worker in east Germany discovered 10 gold bars while mowing lawns. As no credible ownership claims were made within the specified period, the small town, near Dresden, is permitted to retain the bars, with plans to benefit local community clubs.
The future of the bars will be determined during the upcoming local council meeting, with a focus on supporting youth work and preserving local traditions. Currently held in police custody, the gold bars are estimated to be valued at around £34,600 in today’s market.
