Gardens Seeded With Handfuls of Gold
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PORTSMOUTH, England — A retired sailor tossed handfuls of valuable gold and silver coins into the gardens of attractive women near his home in this southern England town, police said Sunday.
The 80-year old widower was spotted in the act but refused to own up to his philanthropy when questioned by police, who said that up to $70,000 worth of sovereigns and commemorative silver coins were involved.
“He is a lovely old gentleman who for some reason has decided to get rid of this money--although he won’t admit it. But he did tell us he has given coins away in the past,” a police spokesman said.
Some of the bemused recipients handed the coins over to police, but after a five-month inquiry, detectives have decided that the recipients can keep their windfalls. One family found coins worth $35,000 in a flower bed.
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