Gold coins found hidden in the wall of a French home have been sold for $3.48 million at auction, according to CNN via Beaussant Lefèvre & Associates.
What To Know
The gold coins were found in Castillonnès, a small town in southwest France, roughly 15 miles from Bergerac. They belonged to Paul Narce, a reserved local man who passed away in August 2024 at the age of 89. Known for his quiet lifestyle, Narce left behind no direct heirs and had moved into a care home after the death of his sister.
Following rumors from villagers that Narce had amassed a coin collection, a notary investigating his estate uncovered a hidden compartment behind a painting in a store room. There, carefully labeled and packed into 10 bundles, were 1,720 gold 20-franc coins.
Some coins date as far back as the reigns of Louis XIV to Louis XVI, while others stretch back to ancient Macedonia (336–323 BC). Experts had originally estimated the collection’s worth at €2 million—but intense bidding sent prices soaring during the auction hosted by Beaussant Lefèvre and Associates.
What People Are Saying
Thierry Parsy, the coin expert who appraised the hoard, called the collection “exceptional, both in volume and in the rarity of the pieces.” He noted that Narce, despite leading a modest life, was a highly knowledgeable collector: “He knew exactly what he was buying,” Parsy said, adding that such a comprehensive and valuable collection rarely, if ever, hits the market.
“The collection could have remained hidden forever,” Parsy emphasized, describing the discovery as one of the most impressive he’s ever encountered.
Pierre Sicaud, the mayor of Castillonnès, shared his surprise with the press. “They were humble, well-mannered people who lived in a regular home, just steps from the town hall,” he told Sud Ouest. “None of us imagined what was tucked away behind their walls.”