You woke up in time I guess. No way you could have kept that old treasure. It goes back to the owner or the state takes it away from you and claims what the sea or land gives is theirs.
Besides...how to change that gold? For sure if you try you will be fooled or no one is willing or able to do so. So all you can do is keep it and save it and count it once in a while and dream.

Your last sentence is true: no matter what, life is a cruel game where only a few decide.