The Marina District coin shop, founded in 1960, is staging its third annual scavenger hunt on April 25 to celebrate National Coin Week. The standout prize is a rare 1851 Gold Rush-era $50 gold coin valued at approximately $25,000, with the remaining nine historic pieces rounding out the total haul.
Clues and riddles will begin dropping at 7 a.m. PT on Witter Coin’s Instagram account (@wittercoin), with fresh hints released every hour on the hour until all coins are found. The shop promises the hunt will send participants through iconic neighborhoods while keeping things fun and family-friendly.
All coins will be placed in safe, visible public spots with no digging, trespassing or property damage required. The first person to locate each coin keeps it. Organizers emphasize that the event is completely free, open to all ages, and designed to respect neighborhoods and local laws.
Witter Coin says the popular tradition ties directly into San Francisco’s Gold Rush heritage and aims to spark interest in coin collecting for a new generation. Past hunts have drawn crowds of locals and visitors eager to test their detective skills. The shop’s marketing sums it up simply: “Don’t be a spectator, be a prospector!”
With hourly clues, organizers expect the hunt to stretch across much of the day. No permits or registration are needed — anyone can join.
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