A casual hike on the slopes of Zvičina Hill in the Czech Republic led to a remarkable discovery when two hikers stumbled upon a lost gold treasure worth more than $340,000.
The find, made in early February but only recently announced, includes 598 gold coins, jewelry, and other artifacts. The entire collection weighs about seven kilograms, with gold coins accounting for nearly 3.7 kilograms.
While exploring the landscape near the Polish border, the hikers uncovered a tin container packed with nearly 600 gold coins. The coins were carefully stacked in eleven piles and wrapped in black cloth. Not far from this spot, they discovered an iron box containing ten bracelets, a wire purse, a comb, a chain, and a powder compact, made from yellow metal.
Experts at the Museum of Eastern Bohemia are now working to understand how the treasure ended up buried on the hillside. Vojtěch Brádle, a coin specialist, said he was stunned when he first examined the collection. He explained that, based on their markings, many coins likely originated from Serbia during the 1920s and 1930s. How they made their way to eastern Bohemia remains a mystery.
Several theories have emerged. Some historians believe Czech citizens may have hidden the treasure while fleeing Nazi occupation after 1938. Others suggest that Germans concealed it before being expelled from the region following World War II in 1945. Another theory ties the burial to the communist monetary reforms of 1953, when fear of financial loss might have driven people to hide their wealth.
Museum director Petr Grulich said it’s unclear whether the gold originally belonged to Czech, German, or Jewish owners, highlighting the unanswered questions surrounding the discovery.
Further examination has revealed that the gold coins are not of Czech origin. Instead, they come from several countries, including France, Turkey, Belgium, and the former Austro-Hungarian Empire, with a few from Romania, Italy, and Russia.
Markings on some Austro-Hungarian coins suggest they were intended for use in the former Yugoslavia, particularly Serbia or Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Although the current market value is mainly based on the weight of the gold, experts believe the historical significance of the find could be far greater. Under Czech law, the two hikers may be entitled to a reward of up to 10 percent of the collection’s value.
The Museum of Eastern Bohemia in Hradec Králové has begun preserving the artifacts. Officials hope to eventually display the collection, allowing the public to connect with a little-known chapter of the region’s past.
