Man, I didnt know there were so many freedom loving treasure hunters here, that would love to go to prison for a few years. Could it be that I watch too crime stories, and read too much? Gold is traceable, and it doesnt matter how much you melt it, coins are traceable, do you really believe that if the police go to a coin shop, that the owner is going to keep quite about you? He will sing until his teeth fall out. Your wife will even try to get her share, when the time comes.
And the idea that not showing your wealth is not going to happen. What is the use of going after a treasure, if your not going to spend it? Could you have a million dollars in gold, and not spend it, I dont think so. You buy a new car, for cash, and it will probably be reported. Too many ways to get caught, if its a big treasure, and how many of us even have the connections to sell something like that? As the Tropical Tramp pointed out, there are many crimes that you could be prosecuted for. Yeah, some people manage to stay under the radar, but are you willing to take that chance? At least you wouldnt have to worry about your wife, there will always be someone to take care of her, while your doing your 5 years!
Get a lawyer that deals with this sort of situation, sure, he needs to be paid, the gov needs to be paid, much better alternative than selling it to the mafia, thats really using your imagination!!! Do you have mafia connections?
I know of some divers that found a couple old cannon, so they had the clever idea to say they were from international waters. Well the museum already knew the spot where the cannon probably were from, so they sent divers to check, and of course, no cannon, only there outline in the hard bottom.
How about getting real.