Tourists found treasure in Karkonosze. It's worth over 2 million złoty
The found artifacts, dated between 1808 and 1921, come from various parts of Europe and the Middle East, and their total value is estimated at approximately $680,000.
An unusual tourist find in the Karkonosze Mountains. It's worth a fortuneWhile hiking in the Podkrkonoší area, tourists noticed a shiny object sticking out of a stone wall. Upon closer inspection, they discovered an aluminum can containing 598 gold coins, carefully arranged in columns and wrapped in black cloth. A few meters away, they found a metal jewelry box: 16 snuffboxes, 10 bracelets, a comb, a chain with a small key, and a powder compact. The entire find weighed about 7 kilograms.
Dr. Miroslav Novák, head of the archaeological department of the East Bohemian Museum, estimated the value of the coins at about 7.5 million Czech crowns (about $340,000).
If the other items are solid gold, their value may be similar. The coins come from a variety of countries, including France, Belgium, Russia, Italy, Romania, Turkey, and the former Austro-Hungarian Empire. Some of them have holes drilled into them, suggesting they were used as decorations in folk or wedding costumes.
Why was the treasure hidden?The youngest coin in the collection dates back to 1921, suggesting the treasure was hidden within the last century. Experts are considering several theories as to why it was hidden.
It may have been buried by someone fleeing the Nazi occupation in 1938. It is also possible that it was hidden by a German fearing deportation after World War II. Another theory suggests that the treasure was hidden due to the monetary reform of 1953, when people were afraid of losing their savings.
Dr. Novák noted that hiding valuable items in the ground was a common practice in uncertain times, with the intention of recovering them later.
Search for the ownerThe museum has begun archival research to determine the owner of the treasure. "It is possible that someone will come across some information, perhaps in newspapers from that time, that someone had robbed a jewelry store or something like that, and suddenly it could lead us to a clue," Dr. Novák said.
The scientist has already received many suggestions and theories about the possible owner, including that it could have been a soldier returning from war, a merchant fleeing the area during the conflict, or a wealthy heiress of a nearby family.
Historical significanceThe discovery of the treasure is of great historical importance, as it sheds light on the turbulent history of the region in the 20th century, including waves of migration and forced displacement. Before World War II, around 120,000 Jews lived in Bohemia and Moravia.
About 26,000 of them fled before 1941, and about 82,000 were deported later. After the war, about three million Germans fled or were deported from the area.
Further researchThe East Bohemian Museum continues to investigate the treasure, analyzing the items for engravings or other markings that could help identify the owner. Two of the snuffboxes have not yet been opened, which gives hope that additional clues will be found. Experts hope that the origin of the treasure and its owner will be established, which will allow for a fuller understanding of the history of this extraordinary find.
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