Darcy Carter hasn't decided what he's going to do with the antique coins, worth an estimated $20,000. (CBC)

A Saint John man doesn't mind his home being described as a money pit after he discovered about $20,000 worth of gold coins dating back to the 1800s during renovations.

Darcy Carter was putting down hardwood flooring on the second storey of his west side home when he pulled up the top step and found the treasure.

'It was something tucked in there, under the stair for a rainy day.'—Homeowner Darcy Carter

"It was in a little coin purse that looked similar to a child's marble bag," he said.

"It was something tucked in there, under the stair for a rainy day."

The 10 gold coins were in small leather purse under the top step. (CBC)

The leather purse contained 10 U.S. gold coins minted in the 1860s and '70s.

One of the $20 coins, which is in pristine condition, is worth about $9,000, according to an appraiser.

"There was a lot of trade that went on from the Saint John, Halifax and all our area down to the eastern United States, so that it's not surprising that somebody might bring these back with them and tuck them away," said Geoffrey Bell, a coin expert from Saint John.

Carter hasn't decided what he's going to do with the antique coins yet. He said he might put them toward his renovation costs, or save them for a rainy day.

But while he thinks about it, he has put the coins in a more modern hiding place — a safety deposit box at the bank.