Archaeologists uncover one of largest medieval coin hoards in recent decades

In a remarkable discovery in the southwest German town of Glottertal, a resident working on a construction project has unearthed a substantial cache of medieval coins, dating back to around 1320 AD.

A resident of Glottertal, a town in southwest Germany, made an extraordinary discovery while working on a construction project—a hoard of medieval coins dating back to around 1320 AD, Caliber.Az reports, citing foreign media.

The approximately 1,600 coins found are valued at the equivalent of what would have been enough to buy 150 sheep at that time.

The coins, originating from various mints across Germany, Switzerland, and France, were uncovered during the installation of underground piping near a swimming pool. Claus Völker, the local resident who made the find, initially unearthed “small metal plates” in the soil in May. The discovery led to an immediate response from archaeologists from the State Office for Monument Preservation, who arrived on-site and recovered around 1,000 coins that same day.

Despite heavy rain turning the soil into deep mud, the team continued their search with metal detectors and managed to retrieve an additional 600 coins the following day. Andreas Haasis-Berner, an archaeologist with the State Office, reported that the majority of the coins were minted in Breisach, Zofingen, and Freiburg around 1320 AD, with some also coming from Basel, St. Gallen, Zurich, Laufenburg, and Colmar.

The medieval coin collection discovered in Glottertal is not only a historical treasure but also an impressive financial find from its time. According to Andreas Haasis-Berner, the coins, when they were lost, would have been valued at approximately 150 sheep.

Experts praise Claus Völker for his keen observation in uncovering what is considered one of the most significant medieval coin hoards found in recent decades. Without his discovery, these coins might have remained buried and unnoticed.

The site where the coins were unearthed holds historical significance. "Glottertal was a crucial mining area for the dukes of Freiburg," Haasis-Berner noted. "The location of the find was a major settlement for miners." This context adds layers of intrigue to the discovery, hinting at possible historical narratives linked to the mining activities and economic conditions of the time.

In comparison, a similar find in 2016 near Zurich yielded over 200 coins from the 1300s, but they were worth only enough to buy 25 sheep. These finds, alongside others in the region, contribute to a broader historical understanding, shedding light on political dynamics, payments to mercenaries, and economic conditions of the past.

The newly uncovered coin hoard offers a fresh opportunity for historical investigation. Haasis-Berner emphasized that studying this collection could provide valuable insights into coin circulation in Breisgau, minting practices, silver trade, and the historical mining industry in Glottertal.