Hikers Stumble on Hidden Trove of Treasure Worth Over $340,000 From an Iron Box Buried in a Man-Made Stone Wall

In the tranquil Podkrkonoší Mountains of the Czech Republic, two hikers were enjoying an ordinary walk through nature when they stumbled upon a mystery that has baffled archaeologists, historians, and numismatists alike. Hidden inside an old iron box and a little aluminium can was an impeccable treasure, stated Popular Science.

One must be wondering what was inside the box that baffled the experts? Inside this teeny tiny box were nearly 600 gold coins, ornate jewelry, and intricately crafted gold items. Experts now estimate the total value of this stunning find to be over $340,000. But that is not the only part of the story; what really has experts scratching their heads is why this huge hoard, filled with objects from across Europe and dating back over two centuries, was ever hidden there in the first place. In an interview, Miroslav Novák, head of the archaeological department at the Museum of East Bohemia, remarked, "When he opened it, my jaw dropped…It’s one of the most unexpected and specific collections we've ever received," stated Daily Mail.

Intriguingly, these coins were organized into 11 columns and intricately wrapped in black fabric. The total weight of the treasure is reported to be around 15 pounds. The coins themselves hold historical intrigue. Dated from 1808 to 1915, many were minted during the rule of Franz Joseph I of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. However, an interesting point to note is that they did not stay there. According to numismatist Vojtěch Brádle, "I found out that these coins did not travel from the Vienna mint to us, but to the Balkans…And there, after the collapse of the monarchy, in the then-Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenians, marks, so-called countermarks, were minted…We have no idea," stated Popular Science.

Moreover, another interesting point to note is that several coins in the collection originated from France, Belgium, Turkey, Romania, Italy, and Russia, posing even more complex questions regarding the huge treasure's journey to the Czech forest. Now, for the most important question, why were these valuables hidden? Several theories have emerged. Some suggest that it was buried during World War II, maybe by Jewish families or maybe it might have been hidden by Nazis themselves. Nowak added, "To store valuable objects in the ground in the form of treasures, so-called depots have been a common practice since prehistoric times…At first, religious movements were more common; later, it was property stored in uncertain times with the intention of returning later for it,” stated Daily Mail.

The Museum of East Bohemia is now cataloging and preserving the items, with plans to make it accessible for the public in the future. Meanwhile, as per Czech law, the two hikers who made the discovery could be entitled to 10% of the treasure’s value, stated Popular Science.