Medieval Treasure Trove Found in Czech Republic
A Czech woman on an afternoon stroll discovered a rare 11th-century stash of silver denarii.
An ordinary stroll through the countryside turned extraordinary when a woman walking near Kutná Hora in the Czech Republic stumbled upon a buried trove of silver coins dating back approximately 900 years.
The unexpected discovery includes more than 2,150 silver denarii, each believed to have been minted in the late 11th and early 12th centuries. Experts believe the hoard was originally hidden inside a ceramic vessel, the remnants of which were found with the coins, and buried in a remote field in the Central Bohemian Region.
Initial analysis suggests the coins were produced between 1085 and 1107 by Bohemian rulers Vratislav II, Břetislav II, and Bořivoj II, members of the powerful Přemyslid dynasty. The denarii were likely struck in Prague using silver sourced through medieval trade networks.
What makes the hoard particularly intriguing is its historical context. Researchers believe the cache may have been buried during a period of political turbulence and dynastic conflict within the Přemyslid family. The early 1100s were marked by internal struggles for power, with rival princes often fighting for control of Bohemia. Theories about the hoard’s purpose include the possibility that its owner buried it because of the period's instability, or as wages meant for soldiers.
“At that time, there were disputes in the country between the members of the Přemysl dynasty about the princely throne of Prague,” Institute of Archaeology archaeologist Filip Velímský stated in the press release. The coins could have been used “for paying wages or spoils of war.”
Whatever their intended use, these coins represent one of the region’s most remarkable archaeological finds in recent memory.
“Unfortunately, for the turn of the 11th to 12th century, we lack data on the purchasing power of contemporary coins,” Velímský said. “But it was a huge, unimaginable — and at the same time, unavailable — amount for an ordinary person. It can be compared to winning a million in the jackpot.”
Archaeologists are now studying the coins and registering each coin in a database. Conservation efforts are underway to ensure their preservation. Preliminary counts show the hoard is exceptionally well-preserved, offering valuable insights into the history of medieval Bohemia.
The coins will be displayed publicly once analysis and conservation are complete, with plans to exhibit the hoard as early as next year. The find is being hailed as one of the most significant coin discoveries in the region in recent years, reminding us that sometimes, even the most ordinary walk through the countryside can uncover remarkable links to the past.
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Kele Johnson is the Editor of Kovels Antique Trader magazine and the Digital Content Editor of Active Interest Media's Collectibles Group. Her captivation with collectibles began at a young age while dusting her mother’s McCoy pottery collection. She admits to a fondness for mid-century ceramics, uranium glass, and ancient coin hoards. Kele has a degree in archaeology and has been researching, writing, and editing in the collectibles field for many years. Reach her at kelejohnson@aimmedia.com.
