A widow in Penzance, Cornwall, discovered a significant collection of gold coins valued at more than £113,000 after uncovering them in a biscuit tin that had been stored in her home for around five decades. The coins were purchased by her late husband in 1975 for just £80.

The collection included 41 South African 22-carat gold Krugerrands and 21 British gold sovereigns. The coins had been kept untouched in the biscuit tin at their residence since the purchase.

David Lay, an auctioneer involved in the sale, explained that the discovery occurred during a visit to the widow’s home, where she was considering downsizing. While inspecting various items, Lay noticed the biscuit tin within a workshop that felt unusually heavy. Upon opening it, he found the gold coins inside.

The Krugerrands were auctioned through Lay’s Auctioneers and fetched approximately £100,000 collectively. The British gold sovereigns were sold separately, bringing in around £13,000.

The husband’s initial investment of £80 in 1975 had consequently grown to over £113,000 by the time the coins were sold, underscoring the significant appreciation in value of these gold assets over the years.