Without knowing it, the walkers were in Golden Road. When taking a shortcut in the Krkonoše Monts forest, in the Northeast of the Czech Republic, a very popular hiking place, two hikers discovered 598 gold coins wrapped in an aluminum box, reports CNN.
A few meters from this first great discovery also hid ten gold bracelets, 17 boxes of cigarettes, a dust manufacturer and a comb. Just after the finding, the two people immediately brought the objects to the East Museum of Bohemia, located in the neighboring city of Hradec Kroté.
A piece that dates from 1921
“The discoverers came to see the numismato (expert in coins) of our museum without a previous meeting. It is only after archaeologists began to take care of the discovery and explore the site,” said Miroslav Novak, head of the archaeological department of the US media.
According to the first experience, one of the pieces is dated in 1921. For the rest, for the moment there is only hypotheses in the antiquity of the objects.
“Most likely, it is linked to the restless period that preceded the beginning of World War II, when the Czech and Jewish population left the border area, or in 1945, when the Germans left,” said Miroslav Novak.
At the moment, a complete historical evaluation of the hiding place is still in progress. The sum of only gold coins, which weigh 3.7 kilos, could amount to $ 360,000 or 318,000 euros, according to Vojtěch Brárdle, expert in museum coins.
Half of the Booty of French origin
From this spectacular discovery, several local rumors have circulated on the origin of gold. “Half is of Balkan origin and the other half of French origin,” explains the head of the archaeological department.
“The parts of central Europe, such as German pieces, are completely absent. However, the discovery is found on the old ethnic border between Czech and German populations.”
Another question arises: who will keep the loot? According to Czech law, archaeological discoveries are owned by the local regional administration from the moment they were made.
A “financial reward” could also be paid to hikers, depending on the value of the metal or the historical evaluation in question.
Source: BFM TV
