How's this for a great find! Two hikers stumbled upon a remarkable treasure hidden in the Krkonoše Mountains of northeastern Czech Republic.
While taking a shortcut through the forest, they spotted an aluminum box protruding from a rocky wall. Inside was a trove of valuables: ten gold bracelets, seventeen cigar cases, a powder compact, a comb, and an astonishing 598 gold coins. The find, estimated to be worth at least $600,000, was promptly turned over to the Museum of Eastern Bohemia.
The origins of the treasure remain a mystery. Miroslav Novak, head of the museum’s archaeological department, believes it may be linked to the upheaval around World War II. “It is most likely related to the period before the war, when Czechs and Jews were fleeing the border regions, or to 1945, during the German withdrawal,” he explained.
What puzzles experts even more is the coin composition: none are of local origin. “About half are from the Balkans and the other half from France,” said Novak. The most recent coin dates to 1921. Notably absent are German or Central European coins, which is unusual given the location near the former ethnic border between Czech and German populations.
The discovery has stirred curiosity among locals. The museum has been receiving numerous calls, as residents share theories and stories that could provide clues. While the exact history of the hoard is unknown, Novak is hopeful that local knowledge might eventually solve the mystery.
Whether hidden in haste during a time of crisis or secreted away for safekeeping, the treasure’s reappearance nearly a century later has reignited interest in the region’s complex history and the secrets it may still hold.