A woman in the Kutnohorsk Region of the Czech Republic discovered over 2,150 silver denarii inside a broken ceramic pot — a hoard buried around the early 12th century during Přemysl dynasty conflicts. Experts from the Institute of Archaeology and the Czech Silver Museum say the coins were likely minted locally, probably in Prague, and are made of a silver alloy containing copper and lead. Conservators will register, X-ray, and spectrally analyze the coins before restoring them for a planned public display in 2025.
Woman on a Walk Uncovers 2,150+ Medieval Silver Coins — A 900-Year-Old Hoard from Bohemia
Medieval Denarii ‘Jackpot’ UnearthedDougal Waters - Getty Images
A casual walk in the Kutnohorsk Region of the Czech Republic turned into an extraordinary archaeological discovery when a woman found a broken ceramic vessel containing more than 2,150 early medieval silver coins — denarii — buried for roughly 900 years.
Although the pot was largely smashed, the coins inside remained remarkably preserved. Specialists from the Institute of Archaeology of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic in Prague and the Czech Silver Museum in Kutná Hora are now cataloguing, conserving and studying the hoard, which archaeologists have called one of the most significant regional finds of the past decade.
Hidden During Political Turmoil
Preliminary research indicates the hoard was concealed in the first quarter of the 12th century, a time of internal unrest in Bohemia. Institute archaeologist Filip Velímský said the coins were likely hidden during disputes among members of the Přemysl dynasty over the princely throne of Prague.
"It was probably placed in its place during the first quarter of the 12th century, at a time of internal political instability," Velímský said. He compared the hoard's value for its time to "winning a million in the jackpot," stressing that such a stash would have been unimaginable for an ordinary person.
What the Coins Reveal
Early analysis shows the denarii were minted at several local mints and were likely issued under the authority of three Přemysl rulers — most likely between 1085 and 1107 during the reigns of King Vratislav II and princes Břetislav II and Bořivoje II. The coins appear to have been struck in the Prague mint from silver imported into Bohemia.
Lenka Mazačová, director of the Czech Silver Museum, said the pieces are made from a silver alloy that also contains copper, lead and trace elements. Conservators plan to conduct X-ray imaging and spectral analysis to determine the precise composition and help identify the origin of the metal.
Why It Matters
The location and size of the deposit—found in a region frequently traversed by rival armies contesting the Prague throne—suggest several possibilities: the coins may have been intended to pay soldiers, or they might represent war booty hidden for safekeeping. Whatever the original purpose, the hoard provides a rare, tangible link to the early 12th-century political and economic history of Bohemia.
Next Steps
Museum teams will register each piece, clean and conserve the coins, and use non-invasive techniques such as X-ray imaging and spectral analysis to document their composition and manufacturing details. The institutions aim to prepare the collection for public display in 2025, offering visitors a window into a turbulent chapter of Czech history.
Significance: Beyond their monetary value, the denarii will help historians and archaeologists better understand medieval Bohemian mints, trade networks that supplied silver, and the economic impact of dynastic conflict in the region.
