Two Czech hikers have unearthed nearly 600 gold coins in the Krkonose Foothills, near the Polish border. The pair stumbled across an old metal can sticking out of the ground and opened it to find a cache of coins that date back to 1808.
Beside the can, the hikers found a small iron box filled with cigarette cases, bracelets, combs, a key, and a powder compact. The pair took them to the Museum of East Bohemia. Its chief archaeologist, Miroslav Novak, told the Daily Mail, “I was called to say that a person who had found something was coming to see me. When he opened it, my jaw dropped.”
Photo: Museum of Eastern Bohemia
The 598 coins are all solid gold. Experts estimate that they and the rest of the items are worth an incredible $340,000. Novak added, “The historical value of the treasure, however, is incalculable.”
Mysterious backstory
The coins date from 1808 to 1915, with some extending into the 1920s and 1930s. They also originate from several countries, including France, Austria-Hungary, Belgium, Italy, Russia, and Turkey. All of the coins are stamped with dates, but some also contain a countermarking. This tells us that the coins were reissued in 1921, most likely in the region of modern-day Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Why the hoard was originally buried is a mystery. One theory is that Czech or Jewish individuals concealed the valuables to protect them from the invading Nazis. Another is that fleeing Nazis might have hidden the hoard at the end of the war. The presence of coins from so many countries adds to the intrigue, suggesting a complex backstory.
Photo: Museum of Eastern Bohemia
“It was clearly not about the nominal value of the coins. It’s not about what the coins could buy — that’s not what mattered. It was deliberately hidden because it was precious metal,” explained Vojtech Bradle from the Museum of East Bohemia. After finishing their analysis and conserving the artifacts, the museum will display the collection to the public.
Under Czech law, individuals who discover treasure are entitled to 10% of its value. Given the estimated worth of approximately $340,000, the hikers will receive a substantial reward.
