this image is not about the topics specific find. but im just leaving an image via google which might explain why a guy found a paperwallet in a sealed bag.. not the first time someone found a random bag with a paper wallet included
(hint: geocaching)
An interesting outlook, but geocaching is basically leaving an item somewhere and marking it on a map so others could find it. Right? If so, why would someone leave over $10,000 on a beach for someone else to claim? Also, if that is the case, I think there should be a map showing all the geocached things so OP could look to see if this paper wallet has been marked on the map? If you are right, this could lead to just the right answer this thread (and OP) needed.
Regards,
PrivacyG
possible scenario
it was in a geocache box. someone found it X months/years ago (when the find was not worth $10k but 100x less) didnt think much of it so just disregard it, and nature took care of the rest.
EG blew into a river that then rand town to the coast, much like how 85% of all discarded items found on beaches originated
i just found it interesting when the OP said he found a paperwallet in a zippy bag.. and also it wasnt just a passphrase but a QR code which is more of what i call a 'bitnote' rather than a paper wallet (hand wrote key on paper)
so if the topic creator can confirm if it was a 'bitnote' that was found. it seems more plausible that he found a discarded geocache from ages ago.
bitnotes where it has a QR code and instructions on how to redeem are not meant for the guy that printed it to keep as they already know how to handle bitcoin. its meant to be handed around to other people.
the other thing is the topic creator can use his block explorer to see when the funds were confirmed.
if they were deposited recently where the deposit was worth something more than a few days salary at the time of deposit. that the original owner would be shocked that they lost their funds.
however if the amount at the time of the confirmation. then its obvious a disregard amount meant to be found by anoyone