A construction project in Glottertal, Germany, has led to an extraordinary discovery: a hoard of over 1,500 medieval silver coins, dating back to the 14th century. The find, considered the largest treasure unearthed in the Freiburg region since 1949, has sparked excitement among archaeologists and historians alike.
The coins were unearthed by chance when a local resident, Claus Völker, noticed what appeared to be “small metal plates” while digging during a pipe installation project near a swimming pool. Intrigued, he contacted Andreas Haasis-Berner, an archaeologist at the State Office for Monument Preservation in Stuttgart. Haasis-Berner, recognizing the potential significance, immediately visited the site and was astonished to find a vast number of coins buried beneath the soil.
Experts were quickly summoned to the site, and with metal detectors in hand, they meticulously combed through the area. Despite challenging weather conditions, they managed to retrieve an additional 500 to 600 coins, bringing the total to over 1,500.
The coins, primarily minted in what are now Germany, Switzerland, and France, are believed to have been circulating in the 1320s. Their discovery provides valuable insights into the economic landscape of the region during that period. “With these treasures, we can see which coins have been common,” Haasis-Berner explained.
The significance of the discovery extends beyond the mere quantity of coins. Glottertal, nestled in the scenic Black Forest mountains, was historically a major mining area for silver. The location of the coin hoard within a known settlement area for miners further strengthens the connection between the coins and the region’s mining industry.
The unearthed treasure allows archaeologists to trace the circulation of coins, the minting activity of local mints, the silver trade, and the overall economic activity of the Black Forest region during the 14th century. It paints a vibrant picture of medieval life in Glottertal, offering a tangible connection to the past.
This discovery joins four other similar coin hoards found in the region, all dating back to the 1320s. This collection of finds provides a comprehensive view of the coins that were common during that time, contributing significantly to our understanding of the medieval economy and trade networks.
