Hoarder Left Behind Millions in Coins

CARSON CITY, Nev. — Police made an unusual discovery after being called to a Nevada neighborhood. Walter Samaszko , 69, was found dead inside his home about a month after he died.

Authorities believe he died from heart problems in June. It wasn’t until a neighbor called that Samasko’s body was discovered.

“He’d come out in the yard and wave once in a while but that’s as sociable as he got,” said neighbor Joe Baxter.

A friend of Samaskzko’s who is a realtor went through some of his belongings when the house was put up for sale. He never imagined finding a big treasure.

“We thought it was ammunition, opened it up and it was rolls of $20 gold pieces,” Baxter said. “I’ve never seen that much gold in my life or coins that old.”

The realtor called Carson City Clerk and Recorder Alan Glover. Glover says in weight alone the gold is worth at least $7 million.

“The amount of it was overwhelming,” Baker said.

They had to use a wheelbarrow to move several boxes of gold from the house which is now being kept in a secure location. Glover says Samaszko had coins minted from as early as 1840′s. They were from countries including Mexico, Austria, England, and South Africa.

“That’s a lot of gold, that’s a lot of coins,” said gold expert Tony Latragna. “Depending on the condition value could go above and beyond gold value.”

Glover  says he also had stock accounts worth $165,000 and $12,000 in cash inside the home. Samaszk also had some odd things at his home because he was a hoarder.  Cases of salmon and tuna fish were also found inside the home.

But despite all his assets Samaszko did not have a will. Authorities were able to locate a remaining family member who will likely inherit what’s left after the IRS takes their share.