Witter Coin hosts $50,000 treasure hunt across San Francisco

The grand prize is a rare 1851 $50 gold piece valued at over $25,000.

Apr. 13, 2026 at 10:47pm by

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For the third year, San Francisco's Witter Coin will host a treasure hunt across the city with over $50,000 in prizes. The grand prize is an incredibly rare 1851 $50 gold piece valued at over $25,000.

Why it matters

The treasure hunt aims to capture the spirit of the California Gold Rush by offering tangible, historical prizes that connect to San Francisco's past. It's a unique way for a local business to engage the community and promote the city's numismatic heritage.

The details

Witter Coin, a San Francisco-based coin dealer, is organizing the treasure hunt that will take participants across the city to find hidden prizes. The grand prize is an 1851 $50 gold piece, one of the rarest and most valuable American coins in existence.

  • The treasure hunt will take place for the third year in 2026.
  • The grand prize is an 1851 $50 gold piece, a coin minted over 175 years ago.

The players

Witter Coin

A San Francisco-based coin dealer hosting the $50,000 treasure hunt.

Seth Chandler

The CEO and owner of Witter Coin, who says the treasure hunt aims to capture the spirit of the California Gold Rush.

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What they’re saying

“We wanted to create something that brings that spirit back. Something real, tangible, and rooted in San Francisco's history.”

— Seth Chandler, CEO and Owner, Witter Coin

What’s next

Witter Coin will release clues and details about the 2026 treasure hunt in the coming months, with the event expected to take place in the spring or summer.

The takeaway

Witter Coin's treasure hunt taps into San Francisco's rich numismatic history and the enduring allure of finding hidden valuables, offering locals and visitors alike a unique opportunity to engage with the city's past in a fun, interactive way.