Recluse’s Gold Fortune Set for Auction

A fortune in gold coins isbeing auctioned off today in Nevada. These collector coins belonged to Walter Samaszko Jr., who lived a quietlife in a modest Carson City home for four decades.  In June 2012, his body was found in his homealong with boxes full of gold coins and bullion, enough to fill twowheelbarrows.

The first batch, consistingmostly of bullion, was auctioned off in February for $3.5 million. The rest, over 2,600 coins estimated to beworth around $3 million, are being auctioned off today at the Carson Citycourthouse. 

The proceeds, after taxes,will go to the only surviving cousin, substitute teacher Arlene Magdanz.

See SandraChereb, Auction Set for Gold FortuneAmassed by Recluse, SF Gate, Aug. 5, 2013.

Special thanks to Joel Dobris (Professorof Law, UC Davis School of Law) for bringing this article to my attention.