In a remarkable discovery, metal detectorists have unearthed a treasure trove of coins believed to have belonged to Antoni Jaczewski, a notorious charlatan who defrauded people in Poland during the late 17th and early 18th centuries. According to historical accounts, Jaczewski, known as a “hermit, adventurer, and false profit,” swindled citizens in Kielce, a city near the Jeleniowskie mountain range, by claiming to possess miraculous healing powers bestowed upon him by the Virgin Mary. Luring people to his mountain settlement, Jaczewski extorted them for gold and silver coins in exchange for his fictitious healing practices. Despite being captured and detained, Jaczewski managed to escape imprisonment and continued his fraudulent activities. He was eventually apprehended again in 1712 and sentenced to life behind bars. Fast forward to 2022, metal detectorists stumbled upon a cache of coins that may have been hidden by Jaczewski. The discovery, which remained undisclosed for nearly two years, has now been confirmed by authorities. Sebastian Grabowiec, president of the Świętokrzyska Exploration Group responsible for the find, expressed the significance of the discovery. “We waited a long time to announce this find, almost two years, but it was worth it. Today we can say that we have confirmed the true story of a certain legend,” Grabowiec said. Along with the coins, the exploration group also uncovered a gold Hamburg ducat from 1648 adorned with the image of Madonna and child. The pierced ducat suggests that it may have been worn as a medallion. “Until this time, Antoni was considered a fictitious person, a myth, a legend,” Grabowiec told Live Science. “By finding his treasure, we confirmed that such a person really existed.” While authorities have yet to reveal the exact number of coins discovered due to the ongoing investigation, Grabowiec hinted at their abundance. “I can only tell you that there are plenty of them,” he said. “We have coins from the end of the 17th and the beginning of the 18th centuries; they are mostly made from silver.” The treasure trove of coins not only confirms the existence of Antoni Jaczewski but also sheds light on his fraudulent practices and the societal conditions that allowed him to flourish during a turbulent period in Polish history.
Treasure Trove of Coins Unearthed in Poland, Confirming Legend of Fraudulent Charlatan
