The find – which consisted of five gold bars and several gold coins packed in plastic bags – was made in Neuville-sur-Saône, in the eastern part of the country. The man informed the municipality of the discovery in May of this year, and he was allowed to keep the gold because it did not come from an archaeological site.
The value of the ingots and coins is estimated at 700,000 euros, equivalent to over 7.5 million kronor.
The gold was acquired legally, according to police, and melted down around 20 years ago at a nearby refinery. The previous owner of the land is no longer alive, and why the gold was buried in the garden remains a mystery.
