Most battles over items in an estate are between heirs unhappy that one person got something while another was left out in the cold. But when the other party that wants something is the federal government you know that things will be different. That is what one family is learning as they fight for ownership over ten ultra rare 1933 $20 gold Double Eagles which were coins that were minted, but never released, before being melted down to prop up the US gold supply during the Great Depression. The issue revolves around whether the coins were stolen from the mint in the 30’s, which would give a void title to the heirs, or if they were acquired legally which would represent an estimated $80 million windfall based on current auction estimates. The case is currently before the 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals, for a second time, with oral arguments having just wrapped up. No date for the decision has been announced.
See Jeremy Roebuck, 
Battle over ownership of rare gold “double eagles” again in court, Philly.com, October 15, 2015.
Special thanks to Brian Cohan (Attorney at Law, Law Offices of Brian J. Cohan, P.C.) for bringing this article to my attention.
Battle over ownership of rare gold “double eagles” again in court, Philly.com, October 15, 2015.