Magnet fishing is a hobby often associated with rusty old nails, forgotten keys, or perhaps the odd relic. However, a New York City couple found themselves in the spotlight after pulling up something far more surprising—a safe with $100 000 in cash.
The incident took place at a pond in Central Park, one of the city’s most iconic locations. The magnet fishers were indulging in their favourite pastime when they felt a strong tug on the line. Expecting to reel in yet another piece of scrap metal or perhaps an old coin, they were astonished to find a safe. Expecting the safe to be empty like their previous finds, they found that this one held a significant amount of cash.
According to the magnet fishers, the discovery was entirely unexpected. While magnet fishing is known to yield interesting finds, few would ever imagine uncovering such a large sum of money. The safe, which had likely been underwater for some time, was still intact yet covered in gunk, with the cash inside being appearing pretty much destroyed and soaking wet.
The couple was still concerned about the “legalities” involved and contacted the NYPD. Due to the owner of the safe, which was likely stolen, could not be identified, the police allowed them to keep the saturated stash.
The couple, who document their finds on their YouTube channel, has reeled in everything from World War II grenades and 19th-century guns to a motorcycle and a purse holding foreign coins, pearls, and gold jewels.
Magnet fishing has gained popularity in recent years to combine the thrill of treasure hunting with the benefits of cleaning up local waterways. Enthusiasts use powerful magnets to pull up metal objects from rivers, lakes, and ponds, often discovering long-forgotten items. While most finds are mundane, like old tools or fishing gear, the occasional rare or valuable item does surface, fuelling the passion of hobbyists worldwide.
This particular discovery in Central Park is a reminder of the unpredictable nature of magnet fishing. While the hobby is primarily enjoyed for fun and the occasional environmental benefit, stories like this show that you never know what might be lurking beneath the water’s surface.
This unexpected find has caught the attention of the magnet fishing community and the wider public. Who knows what other treasures—or mysteries—might be waiting to be discovered?
