Vienna renovation unearths £1.9m Mozart gold treasure

During a basement renovation in Vienna, a plumber came across an extraordinary discovery. In an old villa in the Penzing district, the man noticed a line protruding from the concrete. Upon investigating, he discovered a chest filled with gold coins bearing the likeness of Mozart. The treasure weighed 66 pounds, with its value estimated at 1.9 million pounds.

According to Austrian law, the finder is entitled to half the value of the find. The plumber, who has worked on construction sites since the age of 15, was astonished. "Something like this is really unbelievable. From time to time, you might find a few coins, but such a discovery is fantastic," he said in an interview.

The find likely dates back to the Second World War, when the estate's owners hid their wealth. Any accidental archaeological find must be reported to the appropriate services, which then inform the Federal Monuments Office. The office decides the treasure's future.

Under Austrian law, the find value is equally divided between the finder and the landowner. However, the Federal Monuments Office makes the final decision.

The discovery in Vienna is a stroke of luck for the plumber and an important event for archaeologists and historians. Treasures such as this shed new light on the region's history and may provide valuable insights into the past. The find has already been reported to the appropriate services, which will be responsible for its further examination.