In a forest on the edge near the Czech-Polish border, two hikers made an unexpected discovery this year – a stash of gold coins, jewelry, and other artifacts weighing over 15 pounds. This treasure trove has been received by the Museum of East Bohemia and is undergoing further research.
According to the museum, the hikers found this treasure by chance in February this year near Zvičina Hill. Initially, they noticed an aluminum can containing 598 gold coins arranged in rows and wrapped in black cloth.
An expert from the museum stated that these coins seem to have been “out of daylight for over a hundred years” and date back to the early 19th to early 20th century. Local media reports suggest that these coins were likely buried after 1921.
Some coins bear marks indicating they were still in circulation after World War I, possibly being used until the 1920s or 1930s. Most of the coins are from France, with others coming from the Austro-Hungarian Empire, Belgium, and the Ottoman Empire.
The hikers’ unexpected find didn’t stop there. About three feet away, they found another metal box containing 16 tobacco tins, 10 bracelets, a small bag made of fine metal wire, a comb, and a chain with a key. The museum described these items, all made of yellow metal, as “a very special collection.”
According to experts, these items were clearly intentionally buried, likely to protect valuables and evade turbulent times, with hopes of retrieving them in the future. Miroslav Novák, head of the Archaeology Department at the Museum of East Bohemia, told CBS that burying valuables underground during risky periods has been a common practice throughout history, dating back to prehistoric times.
The region where the treasure was discovered has undergone significant historical changes. Particularly before World War II, as Nazi Germany annexed the Sudetenland in 1938, many Jews, Germans, and other minorities fled Czechoslovakia seeking safety. The location where this treasure was found is situated within one of the potential escape corridors from Nazi persecution.
Although the area’s historical background is closely connected to World War II, museum experts state that there is currently a lack of direct evidence linking this treasure trove to the war. Experts are continuing to analyze the objects for their source and metal composition, planning for their proper preservation, and intending to showcase them in public in the future.