We have written blog posts before about looking for hidden valuables in houses and buildings. Some favorite hiding spots are under floorboards, in hollowed-out books, behind loose bricks, behind electrical switch plates and in boxes buried in the back yard.

If you look in those places in a house you have bought, you just might find some hidden gold, jewelry, coins, platinum, or other valuables.

With a curious mind and a willingness to investigate, you might find a hidden cache of cash, gold or other precious metals. Credit: Wavebreakmedia Ltd.

Today, we would like to explore a different place where it is not uncommon for people to hide valuables…

In clothing

Why would anyone hide gold and other valuables in clothing? There are many reasons. Sometimes people want to conceal valuables when they are traveling to other countries. Sometimes they want to hide valuables in clothing in the belief that home burglars will not look there. And sometimes they stash cash and coins to conceal income from the IRS.

Whatever the reasons may be, people really do it. Here’s a story that proves it.

I know a woman whose late father owned and operated a dry-cleaning business for many years. After he passed away, she had to liquidate his business and everything in it. One wall was covered with clothing racks where more than 50 old coats and suits were hanging. Why were they there? As she pulled them down and got ready to toss them, she discovered that their pockets contained cash, coins and even 24K gold watches and jewelry that her father had hidden in them. The cash alone totaled up to more than $2,000, the coins were worth a few hundred dollars, and the jewelry was worth nearly $500. It just goes to show that it pays to take a close look at old clothing that is for sale in antique stores and junk shops.

Another question? Why would anyone sell items of clothing at those stores if they had hidden valuable stuff in them? The answer seems to be that people sometimes die without telling anyone where they have hidden valuables.

Places You Are Most Likely to Find Valuables Hidden in Clothing

In shoes and boots – Over the centuries, hollowed-out heels have been a popular place for people to hide coins, folded-up cash and other valuables, especially when traveling across borders or through customs. Another place to look is under insoles and under shoe linings. Apparently, people who want to hide things believe (with good reason) that inspectors will not want to look too closely in shoes. So used shoes you see in junk shops could be worth more than you think.
In belts – Money belts are popular accessories for travelers who want to protect their cash from pickpockets and other thieves. But valuables can be sewn into regular belts too. Also, belt buckles can be made of gold, platinum or silver, as a way of avoiding detection by customs officers. So the message is that old belts in thrift shops or at estate sales could be a source of hidden precious metals and cash.
In waistbands, seams and false pockets – Current books on traveling safely still recommend hiding valuables by sewing them into the waistbands of trousers and skirts. So rather than passing by racks of used slacks and skirts, stop to take a closer look.

And don’t overlook miscellaneous places like hatbands, false compartments in wallets and purses, and hollow crutches and canes… with a curious mind and a willingness to investigate, you might find a hidden cache of cash, gold or other precious metals. If you do, call Specialty Metals Smelters and Refiners at 800-426-2344. Let us help turn your discoveries into cash.

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Places You Are Most Likely to Find Valuables Hidden in Clothing

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