You've heard the stories of people finding Declarations of Independence in the attic and stories like that? Well, we may just be witnessing the golf equivalent.

The Augusta Chronicle brings us the story of one Larry Brooks, a recreational golfer who bought a golf bag and clubs at a thrift store for five bucks. While digging through the bag, Brooks heard a rattling, and dumped out a small black plastic sleeve. Within the sleeve was a medal:

The front of the medal has the words Augusta National Golf Club and shows a replica of the clubhouse. The back says Masters Tournament and has "Lloyd Mangrum," "runner-up" and "1940" engraved. The medal features the club's distinctive logo of the outline of the United States with a flagstick marking Augusta.

Huh. Well, I'm stumped. Where the heck is this thing from? Mesopotamia?

While the basics of the medal seem obvious, Masters archivists are trying to figure out the true origins of the find. As the Chronicle notes, Masters runners-up received silver medals starting in 1951, and winners have received gold medals since the tournament began in 1934.

So is the medal authentic? Most observers seem to think so, though Augusta National itself is holding out to make its own determination. If it's proven legit, Brooks will have himself your basic priceless Masters collectible.

For the record, Mangrum (pictured at right) shot a course-record 64 in that 1940 Masters, which he lost to Jimmy Demaret. Mangrum passed away in 1973, having lived a life that included not just Masters play but a charge of Normandy on D-Day. Just try to imagine one of today's golfers doing something like that.

(Visor tip: Golf Observer)

Man seeks confirmation of found Masters medal [Augusta Chronicle]