Hundreds of centuries-old coins unearthed in Germany likely belonged to wealthy 17th-century mayor

News
By published

Construction workers have unearthed a collection of 285 silver coins hidden in a trench.

A pile of silver coins
Some of the coins found in a trench at the farmstead. (Image credit: Juraj Lipták / State Office for Monument Preservation and Archaeology Saxony-Anhalt)

Construction workers in Germany have unearthed hundreds of coins that likely belonged to a 17th-century mayor.

The "hidden" coin collection, which includes 285 silver coins originating between 1499 and 1652, was found in a trench as workers installed a new sewer line at a farmstead in Wettin, a town in east-central Germany, according to a translated statement.

Experts think the treasure was likely buried after the end of the Thirty Years' War (1618 to 1648) — a conflict that was largely fought in Central Europe and led to an estimated 8 million deaths.

Related: 500-year-old gold coins discovered in a German monastery were 'hastily hidden' during a 'dangerous situation'

After years of sitting underground, the coins took on a greenish tint. Based on the array of coins in the collection, experts concluded that the hoard likely belonged to Johann Dondorf, who served as mayor of Wettin in the late 1660s and was one of the town's "richest citizens," according to the statement.

During Dondorf's mayorship, Wettin was an "extremely wealthy brewing town during and after the Thirty Years' War," and his wealth became evident upon his death in 1675. When the court estimated his estate after his passing, it determined that he had accrued more than 2,500 thalers and 500 ducats (gold coins), which he had hidden in rooms throughout his home. Based on the recent discovery, however, it's clear that the court's tally was short.

Jennifer Nalewicki
Journalist

Jennifer Nalewicki is former Live Science staff writer and Salt Lake City-based journalist whose work has been featured in The New York Times, Smithsonian Magazine, Scientific American, Popular Mechanics and more. She covers several science topics from planet Earth to paleontology and archaeology to health and culture. Prior to freelancing, Jennifer held an Editor role at Time Inc. Jennifer has a bachelor's degree in Journalism from The University of Texas at Austin.