San Francisco Coin Collector's Hunt for $10K in Rare Coins Begins Friday

San Francisco coin collector and shop owner Seth Chandler is organizing a scavenger hunt, giving away $10,000 worth of rare coins hidden across the city. The hunt, starting on Friday, aims to promote coin collecting and highlight the historical significance of San Francisco's three mints. Eleven coins, ranging in value from $250 to $2,500 each, will be hidden with clues posted on social media. Participants are encouraged to visit Chandler's shop to learn more about the coins they find.

San Francisco Coin Collector Hosts Scavenger Hunt, Distributing $10,000 in Rare Coins

In an unprecedented move that has captivated the numismatic community, Seth Chandler, the proprietor of Witter Coin, a renowned coin shop in San Francisco's Marina District, has announced plans to conduct a citywide scavenger hunt, ultimately distributing $10,000 worth of rare coins to the fortunate participants.

This novel initiative, meticulously planned to coincide with National Coin Week, aims to pique the public's interest in numismatics, an often-overlooked field that holds immense historical and cultural significance. As an ardent advocate for coin collecting, Chandler seeks to utilize this exhilarating activity as a conduit for educating the public about the profound role coins have played throughout history.

A total of 11 meticulously selected coins, meticulously sourced by Chandler and his team, will be strategically concealed across San Francisco's diverse neighborhoods, awaiting discovery by eager hunters. These coins, imbued with intrinsic value, span a range of precious metals: five gleaming gold coins, five lustrous silver coins, and a single captivating copper coin.

The numismatic treasures, each carefully enclosed within a protective plastic bag accompanied by contact information for Witter Coin, boast an impressive value ranging from $250 to $2,500 per coin. Among these hidden gems, two stand out as the most valuable: a $20 gold coin from the year 1915 and a humble penny minted in 1909.

Chandler's passion for numismatics, kindled at the tender age of four, fuels his unwavering belief in the power of coins to forge connections with the past. "When you hold a round piece of metal that has endured for two or three hundred years, it evokes profound reflections on our founding fathers and the nation in which it was minted," he eloquently states. "Coins serve as tangible links to our history, enabling us to connect with the past in a truly visceral manner."

This scavenger hunt is open to the public, inviting individuals of all ages and backgrounds to participate. Chandler has ingeniously devised a series of clues that will be progressively revealed via Witter Coin's Instagram account (@wittercoin). These enigmatic clues will guide participants through San Francisco's vibrant neighborhoods, encouraging them to explore the city with fresh perspectives.

Chandler astutely observes, "San Francisco reigns supreme as the 'king of coin cities', holding the unique distinction of being the only city in the country to have housed three mints." This historical legacy has left an indelible mark on the city's cultural fabric. A fully operational U.S. Mint continues to operate within the Upper Market area, diligently producing special edition commemorative coins. The city's numismatic heritage extends back to 1854, when the first U.S. Mint commenced operations within the Financial District. This historic building now serves as the San Francisco Historical Society, a renowned museum that safeguards the city's rich past. The second U.S. Mint building, situated on Fifth Street in the SoMa neighborhood, has been repurposed into a modern venue space.

"No other artifact rivals the storytelling prowess of our coins," asserts Don Kagin, a renowned historian and fellow coin collector. "They offer profound insights into our identity, our values, and our aspirations. The U.S. Mint has played a pivotal role in documenting our nation's journey."

Chandler and his dedicated staff have meticulously concealed the coins throughout the city, promising to provide clues on social media. Participants are advised to remain attentive to their surroundings, adopting a "tourist mindset" to uncover the hidden treasures.

The scavenger hunt officially commences at noon on Friday, with the first clue being posted on Witter Coin's Instagram account. Participants are encouraged to retrieve their discovered coins to Witter Coin on Lombard Street, where they will be warmly welcomed by Chandler and his team. This interaction will provide an invaluable opportunity to share the excitement of the discovery, delve into the historical significance of the coin, and foster a deeper understanding of numismatics.

"We wholeheartedly encourage participants to visit our shop on Lombard Street with their discovered coins," Chandler emphasizes. "This will allow us to connect on a personal level, witness their exhilaration, and, most importantly, illuminate the story behind the coin they have unearthed."

May good fortune and the thrill of discovery accompany all participants in this captivating scavenger hunt. As the hunt progresses, Witter Coin will provide regular updates on Instagram, keeping the public abreast of the coins that have been successfully found.