A Gold Rush-era coin worth $25,000 will be among the 10 hidden across San Francisco for Witter Coin’s annual scavenger hunt.
Courtesy of Seth Chandler
The Gold Rush is returning to San Francisco this month for one day only — well, kind of.
Marina district coin dealer Witter Coin plans to hide 10 rare pieces across the city as part of its third annual scavenger hunt on April 25, coinciding with National Coin Week. Owner Seth Chandler expects the event to draw thousands, based on the success of past iterations.
“This is just a crazy and fun idea,” Chandler told the Chronicle. “I had no idea it was going to be this big, and that’s what makes it fun … It fuels me to do more.”
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In an Instagram reel first shared to Witter Coin’s account on April 2, Chandler explained that the hidden coins will have a total value of $50,000. The most expensive coin hidden will be a Gold Rush-era gold coin worth $25,000. Whoever finds each coin gets to keep it.
“I can’t believe I’m doing this,” the 54-year-old San Francisco resident said, noting that it’s “a really strange feeling to walk away from like all that money that you just hid under a park bench.”
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Nonetheless, Chandler says the effort is well worth it for the chance to foster community and encourage exploration of the city.
“I just want people to have a good time,” he said.
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Clues about each of the coins’ whereabouts will be posted to Witter Coin’s Instagram every hour on the hour starting at 7 a.m. on the day of the event. Chandler said that in past years, the hunt has lasted the entire day.
The scavenger hunt begins at 7 a.m. on April 25 with clues released on Instagram every hour on the hour.
Courtesy of Seth Chandler
Coins will be hidden in “safe” locations in various neighborhoods across the city, with “no digging or trespassing” required, according to Witter Coin’s Instagram post.
“We want to make it challenging and make it worthwhile,” Chandler said, citing the gold foil chocolate bars from “Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory” as inspiration. “We try to have a lot of fun with the clues.”
Chandler said that he and his team spend dozens of hours planning out the scavenger hunt each year, though he’s always got his radar on for a good hiding spot. In past years, coins have been found at locations such as Fort Point, LucasFilm headquarters and Fort Mason Center.
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Witter Coin hosted its first city-wide scavenger hunt in 2024, with 11 coins worth a total of $2,500. The 66-year-old shop, currently at 2299 Lombard St., is one of the oldest coin dealers in the Bay Area.
A coin collector since he was 4 years old, Chandler took over the business in 2016. He has become known for leaning into social media to promote the store, from conducting livestream sales to making Instagram reels.
He said that over time, the scavenger hunts have helped business at Witter Coin. Chandler has even had participants come into the store to thank him for organizing the event.
“It’s not work,” he said. “It’s fun.”
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