‘Like a lottery ticket’: Owner unearths hidden safe during home renovation

A homeowner in the US has made a potentially life-changing discovery while renovating their 1920s home.

The owner, who didn’t reveal their identity, said they were digging up the foundation of their home in San Francisco when he stumbled on a locked safe.

“Anyone know the brand and/or how to go about opening it? The owner asked in a post to social media platform, Reddit. 

The homeowner provided little in the way of details about the safe, but did post a photo.

In the image the covering of the safe has been removed to reveal a dust laden dial and door buried deep within the concrete foundations.

“We will break the concrete around it to get it out as we can’t lift it out,” the owner wrote. 

“Would be fun to figure out the manufacturer. Didn’t see any matching photos on Google when I did a bunch of searches.” 

The owner said once the safe is removed they plan to “shake it” to see if they can tell whether anything is inside.

Scores of social media users were quick to comment on the owner’s post.

Many quelled any anticipation the owner had to find precious treasures.

“In 30 years of locksmithing, I’ve never opened a Mystery Safe that had anything in it,” one person wrote.

“Previous people emptied the safe before moving out, because of course they did. But who knows, this might be the one stuffed full of Krugerrands squirreled away by an old reclusive millionaire who died with no heirs to look for the safe…”

A Krugerrand is a South African gold bullion coin.

The owner hopes the commenter is right.

“That’s what I’m hoping. Someone grew old…and forgot the safe even existed,” they wrote.

I definitely wouldn’t be busting out the concrete unless that was already the plan. Have a locksmith take a crack at it, I’d personally keep it if possible, or just cover with a fresh pour.

Others questioned why the owner would deliberately disturb the concrete foundations.

“I definitely wouldn’t be busting out the concrete unless that was already the plan. Have a locksmith take a crack at it,” they wrote. 

“I’d personally keep it if possible, or just cover with a fresh pour.”

The homeowner moved to reassure the stranger.

“Fortunately, we are busting up the whole floor so will have it in our possession in a day or two.” they wrote.

The owner also indicated they were holding a little hope of finding a possible fortune. 

“Sort of like a lottery ticket. The fun is in the ‘what if’ right up until the balls are pulled and the numbers don’t match,” they wrote.