A reader asked what happened to the gold coins discovered when a Carson City, Nev., recluse died in 2012. (See Kovels Komments, Dec. 26, 2012.) Were the coins melted? No. We learned that half of the coins were sold on Feb. 28 for $3,540,500. The estate will have to pay about $800,000 in estate taxes and expenses. The coins were sold in 11 lots totaling 9,644 coins. The gold coins that sold are not rare but have a high meltdown value. One buyer got nine of the lots. The other half of the hoarded coins are rare and will be sold in a later auction. They are expected to attract higher prices. The heir, a first cousin, has not commented on her inheritance. We will report on the results of the next sale.

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