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Thursday, 25th August 2005 (4444 views)

Ten $20 'double eagle' gold pieces are now in state possession after a jeweller tried to authenticate them.<br/><br/>Joan Langbord came into possession of the coins after her jeweller father's, Israel Switt's, death although it is unclear how he obtained them.<br/><br/>As they were never circulated and are very valuable, the US Mint has taken the coins.<br/><br/>The Mint claims that they were taken "in an unlawful manner more than 70 years ago" and therefore still belong to it.<br/><br/>The coins date from 1933 but most of them were melted down in 1937 after the US abandoned the gold standard.<br/><br/>A few of the coins designed by Augustus Saint-Gaudens escaped detection and are now amongst the world's most valuable gold coins.<br/><br/>Ms Langboard will dispute the Mint's actions in a court case.<br/><br/>

 

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