Over hundred silver coins discovered in Skoki (Western Poland)

Excavations on a sports area in Skoki, Wielkopolska voivodeship in Poland, resulted in finding a treasure of 117 silver coins, dated to 15th and 16th century AD. The initial discovery of first few coins was made in December last year by an archaeologists from the local Regional Museum in Wągrowiec, Marcin Krzepkowski together with Michał Kołpowski. The researches returned to the site in April this year.

Sample of the coins from the treasure trove (by T. Podzerek)
Sample of the coins from the treasure trove (by T. Podzerek)

The metal detecting survey followed by detailed excavations resulted in finding a treasure trove hidden somewhere after 1539 in a clay jar of which shards were found in the vicinity. The area is currently used as a sports ground but sadly the archaeologists are unable to reconstruct how the place was used in 16th century.

Among the coins are 85 pieces struck during reign on Polish King John I Albert, Alexander I Jagiellon and Sigismund I the Old, 3 coins of the king Władysław II Jagiełło and also coins of Albert of Prussia, the last Grand Master of the Teutonic Knights and the first monarch of the Duchy of Prussia. The value of the find is said to reflect the wage of over 70-days of work of an unqualified worker in its time.

The coins are being studied by researchers from the Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań. After conservation the find is said to be put on display in the Regional Museum in Wągrowiec.

(after Nauka w Polsce & T. Podzerek)

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