A small rural French house held a jaw‑dropping secret: 1,000 gold coin, meticulously hidden behind a storage‑room wall, recently sold at auction for €3.3 million (approximately $3.3 million USD) in Paris.
This remarkable discovery surpassed all expectations and offers a glimpse into a life of quiet numismatic passion.
The Discovery
- Location: Castillonnès, Lot‑et‑Garonne, southwestern France, near Dordogne.
- Time: Discovered in June 2025, after the death of Paul Narce (aged 89).
- Finder: A determined notary, following a local tip, uncovered the treasure behind a picture in a storage room .
- Legacy: No direct heirs, but distant cousins were later located.
The Collection’s Contents
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Coins | ~1,000 historic gold coins |
| Ancient Coins | Greek, Byzantine, and Gaulish from as early as Alexander era |
| Medieval Pieces | Gothic masterpieces; 7 coins depicting Edward the Black Prince (14th c.) |
| French Monarchs | Coins from Louis XIII, XIV, XV, XVI; post-revolution issues after 1793 |
| Napoléons | 10 pouches containing 172 × 20‑franc gold “Napoléons” coins |
| Date Range | From antiquity to 19th century |
Coins were exquisitely labeled and preserved.
Auction and Valuation
- Auction House: Drouot, Paris.
- Pre‑Auction Estimate: €2 million.
- Final Sale Price: €3.3 million—well above expectations.
- Value in USD: Approximately $3.3 million at current exchange rates.
- Significance: Considered a once‑in‑a‑lifetime find in both quality and historic range.
Collector and Historical Insight
- Owner: Paul Narce, a reclusive numismatist who collected over a lifetime with his sister Claudette.
- Expert Opinion: Thierry Parsy, a renowned numismatic expert, declared the trove an unparalleled find “from the point of view of quantity and quality”.
- Prior Discoveries: Same village saw a 2014 find of 16th‑century Spanish gold coins during renovation, indicating a rich but hidden history.
Why It Matters
- Historical Range: Coins span over 2,000 years—from antiquity to modern France.
- Cultural Value: Reflects different eras: Alexander the Great, Gothic art, Edwardian Aquitaine, and Bourbon monarchy.
- Numismatic Integrity: Well‑documented, labeled, and preserved—extremely rare for such a large cache.
- Local Heritage: Highlights Castillonnès’ hidden historical riches and continues to draw collectors’ interest.
The discovery and auction of Paul Narce’s $3.3 million gold‑coin treasury is a numismatic marvel. It offers a unique window into centuries of European history, thoughtfully preserved in a rural French home.
More than treasure—it’s a testament to one man’s lifetime passion and the enduring allure of the past.
FAQs
Who was Paul Narce and why did he hide the coins?
Paul Narce, an 89‑year‑old private collector from Castillonnès, amassed the coins quietly with his sister. They hid them behind a wall, possibly for safekeeping. He passed away in 2024, and the find went unnoticed until after his death.
What types of coins were included in the treasure?
The trove included ~1,000 coins: ancient Greek and Byzantine, medieval Gothic pieces (including ones with Edward the Black Prince), a full set of Bourbon monarchy coins, Napoléons, and post-revolutionary coins up to the 19th century.
Why did the auction exceed estimates so significantly?
Experts praised the collection’s rarity, historical breadth, and overall condition. Market demand for well‐preserved, well‐documented coins drove the final €3.3 million, far above the €2 million estimate.
