German archaeologists discovered a treasure of 285 silver coins hidden in the 17th century. Researchers note that in addition to common coins of that time, the treasure also included rare ones.
During recent construction work at a historic estate in Wettin, Germany, archaeologists made an unexpected discovery. Researchers have unearthed a large treasure of 17th century coins, writes Heritage Daily.
The estate, which has been under the care of Altstadt Wettin e since 2018. V., dates back to the XVI-XVII centuries — the period marked by the end of the Thirty Years’ War. According to the documents, since 1681 the building functioned as a city pharmacy, which is evidenced by some architectural fragments, in particular, the 18th century baroque stucco on the ceiling.
Archaeologists discovered the treasure in the area of the gate leading to the central courtyard, finding 285 silver coins. These coins, which are currently being restored by the Saxony-Anhalt State Administration for Monuments and Archeology (LDA), date from the late 1650s.
Most of the coins are silver thalers, which were a common currency in Northern Germany during the Holy Roman Empire and later the German Confederation. The collection also includes fragments of thalers and money.
Among the coins, researchers single out Schreckenberg money and Albert thalers from the Spanish Netherlands. Other coins were minted by German emperors, the Duchy of Braunschweig-Lüneburg, Archduke Albert VII of Austria and King Philip IV of Spain.
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The LDA emphasized the double importance of this discovery: “Apart from its scientific significance, the Wettin coin find illustrates the valuable contribution that voluntary work in cooperation with the conservation authorities can make to our understanding of the history of Saxony-Anhalt.”
