Key points: A volunteer detectorist found a nearly pure gold Celtic quarter stater — a two‑gram "rainbow cup" — in a Gundorf field northwest of Leipzig. The piece, dated to about 2,200 years ago, is the oldest coin recorded in Saxony and bears a stylized head and motifs that may represent a torc, a star, and a sphere. Experts say it likely served as a status symbol and demonstrates trade contacts with Celtic regions beyond their settlement core.
Volunteer Detectorist Uncovers 2,200‑Year‑Old Celtic Gold “Rainbow Cup,” Saxony’s Oldest Coin
Key points: A volunteer detectorist found a nearly pure gold Celtic quarter stater — a two‑gram "rainbow cup" — in a Gundorf field northwest of Leipzig. The piece, dated to about 2,200 years ago, is the oldest coin recorded in Saxony and bears a stylized head and motifs that may represent a torc, a star, and a sphere. Experts say it likely served as a status symbol and demonstrates trade contacts with Celtic regions beyond their settlement core.
02:14, 05.11.2025Culture
Nearly Pure Gold Quarter Stater Found Near Leipzig Sheds New Light on Celtic Trade
A volunteer metal detectorist searching a field northwest of Leipzig has uncovered a nearly pure gold Celtic coin dating to roughly 2,200 years ago. Discovered in July in a Gundorf field and authenticated by the State Office for Archaeology Saxony, the tiny, convex piece is now the oldest coin ever recorded in Saxony.
What was found
The artifact is a two‑gram quarter stater, colloquially known as a “rainbow cup” because of its curved, pot‑like shape and the way such finds are likened to a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow. At about 2 grams — slightly less than a U.S. dime or a one‑cent euro coin (≈0.07 oz) — the piece is exceptionally well preserved.
Design and possible meaning
One face bears a stylized head, which experts suggest may represent a stag. The reverse shows an open neck ring with thickened terminals (possibly a depiction of a Celtic torc), accompanied by a rounded‑corner star and a small sphere. These elements strengthen the coin’s cultural attribution and hint at symbolic or status meanings beyond simple monetary use.
Archaeological context and significance
Similar rainbow cup‑shaped coins have been recovered from Celtic settlement areas in northern Bohemia and generally date to the third century B.C.E. Regina Smolnik, the Saxon state archaeologist, emphasized that Celtic coins are rare in Saxony and said the find provides further evidence of regular contacts and exchange beyond the Celtic heartland.
"The gold coin is a tangible piece of our history and provides new insights into trade with the Celts," said Barbara Klepsch, Saxon state minister for culture and tourism, in a translated statement. "It tells of the exchange and of the people who once lived here."
Until recent fieldwork expanded finds in the region, only two Celtic coins had been recorded in Saxony (one of which, found in the 19th century, is now lost). An increase in surveys in recent years has produced nine more coins; however, only one other is both gold and convex in shape, and that example is undecorated. Previously, the oldest coin found in Saxony was a silver cluster quinarius from around the early first century B.C.E. This new gold quarter stater predates it and proves that older coins circulated or were held in the area.
Usage and provenance
Although commonly called a coin, specialists believe this piece was unlikely to have been used in everyday transactions. Instead, Regina Smolnik suggests it functioned as a status symbol or a portable store of value owned by an elite individual who maintained trade links with Celtic groups.
Officials praised the detectorist for reporting the find responsibly. "Discoveries like these bring our past to life and help us understand our cultural roots," Klepsch said, thanking the volunteer for acting with care and responsibility.
Note: The find is now cataloged and conserved by the State Office for Archaeology Saxony. Ongoing study will refine dating and contextual interpretation.