NewsCzech forest yields rare 2,000-year-old gold coins in historic find

Czech forest yields rare 2,000-year-old gold coins in historic find

Collection of Celtic gold coins found in Rakovnik.
Collection of Celtic gold coins found in Rakovnik.
Images source: © Muzeum TGM Rakovnick

25 April 2024 13:27

A Czech amateur treasure hunter has made an incredible discovery, unearthing gold coins over two thousand years old. Among these, the smallest coin, not even a quarter of an inch in diameter, stands out as the most valuable find.
"A participant of one of our museum lectures decided to explore the forest with a metal detector, where he stumbled upon the first of twelve gold staters," confirmed Kateřina Blažková, an archaeologist at the TGM Museum in Rakovník.

"He immediately notified us about his find, allowing us to examine and secure the site professionally," she added.

Twelve gold coins were unearthed in total. The tiniest measures only about 0.16 inches in diameter and has a unique design. The obverse showcases a peacock, while the reverse depicts a bird. "Moreover, the exceptional preservation of the coins suggests they might never have been in circulation," the archaeologist noted.

A unique collection

These coins are now under the careful examination of experts and are not yet available for public viewing. This discovery marks a significant addition to the museum's collection.
An expert evaluation from the National Museum has identified these coins as a unique set of battle ramparts from the end of the Middle La Tène period. This find represents the first archaeologically documented mass collection of these coins intentionally stored in Czechia.
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