A mysterious box filled with gold coins and other valuable items has been found by hikers in the Krkonoše Mountains in the Czech Republic, CNN reported on Sunday. The total value of the discovery is estimated to be at least $360,000, but experts are unsure where it came from.
The box was spotted by two hikers while they were walking on a trail. It was partly sticking out of a stone wall. Inside, they found 598 gold coins, gold bracelets, cigar cases, a powder compact and other metal items.
The hikers brought the box to the Museum of Eastern Bohemia in Hradec Králové. The museum’s experts are now studying the contents. Miroslav Novák, head of the archaeology department, told CNN that the coins were not from the local area. This has led to questions about who owned the items and why they were hidden.
“The items are valuable, but we do not yet know who put them there or why,” Novák said. “The newest coin in the collection is from 1921. That makes it more difficult to connect the stash to a specific event.”
One possible explanation, according to Novák, is that the stash could be linked to the movements of people during the early 20th century. He said it may be connected to the departure of Czech or Jewish families before World War II or the mass movement of German people after 1945. However, without further evidence, this remains only a theory.
“The public is also very curious,” Novák told CNN. “People in the community have been sharing their own ideas about where it may have come from.”
Some of the items were stored in old cigar boxes, some of which are still closed. Museum staff are being careful while handling them to avoid any damage. They are also testing the exact materials of the objects.
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“It’s important to take time to study the find carefully,” said Novák. “We want to understand not just the value, but also the story behind it.”
The discovery has attracted attention from across the country. Museum officials said they plan to display the objects in the future once their study is complete. Until then, the items will stay in a secure location.
This kind of find is rare, and it has raised interest among both researchers and the public. For now, the gold and coins remain a mystery. As Novák said, “This is a puzzle from the past. We hope the items will help us understand more about the people who lived here a century ago.”
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