Archive: People and Markets
Estimate: 19.900 EURHersfeld Abbey,
1/2 Reichstaler 1621,
under Wilhelm V of Hesse-Kassel as administrator.
Condition: ef+
3018-589
Estimate: 9.890 EURFrance,
city of Besançon,
3 Pistols 1666 with title Charles V.
Condition: CH UNC
3019-931
Estimate: 5.800 EURHoly Roman Empire,
Bavaria, Chaise d'or (imperial shield)
1328-1347 under Emperor Louis IV.
Condition: ef
3020-009
Estimate: 3.680 EURGreece,
Eastern Celts,
Tetradrachm (3rd-2nd century BC).
Condition: ef
3020-877
Estimate: 485 EURArchbishopric of Salzburg,
Reichstaler 1654-1668
under Count Guidobald von Thun.
Condition: vf-ef
3019-824
Estimate: 350 EURGreat Britain,
Halfpenny-Token 1794,
Kent-Dover.
Condition: MS65 BN
3020-591
Estimate: 485 EURSaxony,
Siegesthaler 1871 under Johann.
Condition: vf-ef
3003-367
Estimate: 1.180 EURByzantine Empire,
Solidus (491-518)
under Anastasius the righteous.
Condition: vf-ef
3005-316
Estimate: 2.650 EURRoman Empire,
Sesterz (225-227) Orbiana,
wife of Severus Alexander.
Condition: ef
3020-873
Estimate: 1.950 EURKingdom of Bohemia,
Ducat 1676 under Leopold I.
Condition: vf
3021-518

Celtic Coin Hoard Melted Down into Lumps

The unanswered questions about the theft of a Celtic gold treasure in Manching, Germany, might soon be solved. On 22 November 2022, 483 gold coins with a total weight of about 3.7 kilograms were stolen from the kelten römer museum in Manching, Bavaria. The coins belong to what is considered the largest Celtic gold hoard of the 20th century. Now the police have announced success in apprehending suspected criminals.

 A part of the Manching coin hoard. In the lower part of the picture, the so-called Goldgusskuchen (“gold cast pie”) with a weight of 217 grams. Photo: UK.

A part of the Manching coin hoard. In the lower part of the picture, the so-called Goldgusskuchen (“gold cast pie”) with a weight of 217 grams. Photo: UK.

On 19 July 2023, German media outlets reported that four suspects were arrested in the area of Schwerin (Mecklenburg-Vorpommern), quoting the Bavarian Criminal Investigation Department (LKA) and the dpa German Press Agency. The evidence is said to be “overwhelming”. Newspapers even reported that a part of the coin hoard might have been recovered.

The official statement of the LKA that was published after the press conference on 20 July 2023 says: “When he was arrested, the 43-year-old was in possession of a plastic bag with 18 gold lumps in it. An initial micro x-ray fluorescence analysis carried out by the forensic institute of the Bavarian LKA revealed a mixture of gold, silver and copper that corresponds to the composition of the gold hoard. Therefore, it must be assumed that these lumps were produced by melting down the Manching gold hoard. The pieces are currently being analysed in cooperation with the Archaeological State Collection.” The Oppidum special commission continues to investigate. 

We will keep you posted!

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