598 Gold Coins, 10 Gold Bracelets, 17 Sealed Cigar Boxes: Duo Stumbles Upon Treasure During Trek
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While hiking in Czech mountains, a duo found a hidden box with 598 gold coins, bracelets, and more—an estimated treasure worth Rs 3 crore
Imagine strolling through a lush green forest, soaking in the peace and beauty of nature, when suddenly you spot something unusual – a shiny aluminium box peeking out from between the stones. Intrigued, you move closer. That's exactly what happened with two tourists hiking in the Karkonosze Mountain range of the Czech Republic. What they discovered inside this mysterious box was nothing short of extraordinary.
A Box Full of Surprises
According to a CNN report, the box contained not just one or two items, but a real treasure trove: 10 gold bracelets, 17 sealed cigar boxes, a powder compact, a comb, and the most astonishing find, 598 gold coins. The total weight of the gold is about 3.7 kilograms (8 pounds), with an estimated value of 8 million Czech Koruna, roughly Rs 3 crore. The cigar boxes, still unopened, may hold even more secrets.
A Chance Discovery
The two travellers, who have chosen to remain anonymous, were taking a shortcut through the forest when they spotted the box lodged between rocks. Curious, they opened it and were stunned by the treasure inside. Without wasting time, they handed the box over to the East Bohemia Museum in the nearby city of Hradec Kralove.
Miroslav Novak, head of the museum's archaeological department, shared that the duo arrived unannounced with the treasure. 'Our team immediately began investigating the site where the box was found," Novak said. He confirmed that the entire box was filled with gold and other artefacts.
Experts are now trying to determine the age and origins of the treasure. One of the coins is dated 1921, which means it is at least a century old. Novak believes the treasure may have been hidden before the Second World War, possibly around 1945. Interestingly, not a single coin in the collection is of Czech origin. Around half of the coins are from the Balkans, and the rest from France. Some bear markings from the former Yugoslavia, dating back to the 1920s and 1930s.
Locals have their own theories. Some say the treasure may have belonged to the wealthy Spork family of the Kuks estate, while others believe it could have been looted by Czechoslovak soldiers.
The museum is continuing its analysis to uncover more details. The true value of the treasure will only be known after the cigar boxes are opened and the other items are examined. As per Czech law, the treasure legally belongs to the local administration. However, the tourists who discovered it are entitled to a reward based on its value.
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