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A simple home renovation in France turned into an extraordinary discovery: a man in Neuville-sur-Saône, a quiet town in eastern France, unearthed a treasure trove worth nearly $800,000 (over 20.8 billion Vietnamese dong) in his backyard.
According to CBS News, earlier this year, while excavating soil to install a swimming pool, the resident stumbled upon five gold bars and several gold coins sealed in plastic bags. He immediately reported the find to local authorities.
Officials confirmed that the gold, valued at approximately $800,000, held no archaeological significance and thus belonged to the discoverer under French civil law. The origin of the treasure remains a mystery, as the previous homeowner passed away years ago without leaving any records of hidden assets.
French police investigations revealed that the gold was legally purchased and refined at a local facility 15–20 years ago. Each gold bar bears a serial number traceable to its source, confirming it was not stolen. Under 19th-century French civil law, treasures found on one’s property belong entirely to the discoverer, provided no other party claims ownership.
This fortunate find not only granted the man a new swimming pool but also a personal fortune. However, a similar scenario in India could yield different results. Under India’s Treasure Trove Act (1878), such discoveries must be reported to authorities, and ownership typically vests with the state unless clear title is established.
Globally, similar tales of unexpected riches have captured attention. In 2024, a California couple discovered a coin worth $10 million (88 crore rupees) on their property. A German resident once found a gold bar valued at $150,000 (13 lakh rupees) in their apartment, while in the UK, a couple renovating their kitchen in 2022 unearthed 260 gold coins, later sold for nearly $1 million (88 lakh rupees).
These stories highlight that treasures may indeed lie hidden in your own backyard, but ownership hinges on local legal frameworks.
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