PHILADELPHIA—A federal judge ruled that the U.S. Mint may keep 10 rare gold coins seized from the heirs of a Philadelphia coin dealer who obtained them decades ago under uncertain circumstances.

U.S. District Judge Legrome D. Davis said in an Aug. 29 opinion that the 1933 "Double Eagle" coins—which have a face value of $20 apiece but are now worth millions of dollars—"remain the property of the United States" and "were not lawfully removed" from the U.S. Mint in Philadelphia.

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