One of the Largest Collections of Ancient Coins Found in Germany, Hidden by a Wealthy Mayor in the 17th Century
During construction work in Saxony-Anhalt in Eastern Germany, one of the largest collections of ancient coins was unearthed, most likely belonging to the mayor of the city of Wettin. This is reported by the Saxony-Anhalt Office of Monuments and Archaeology.
During the installation of a new sewerage system for an old building in Wettin, builders found an impressive "hidden treasure" - 285 silver coins minted between 1499 and 1652.
Wettin was "a very rich town in the Aldar during and after the Thirty Years' War," also during the reign of Dondorff. After his death in 1675, the mayor's wealth really became noticeable. When the court assessed Dondorf's property, it turned out that he had amassed more than 2,500 thalers and 500 ducats (gold coins), which he had hidden throughout the house. It is now clear that the mayor had hidden some of his wealth even further away.
Although the majority of the treasure found is made up of coins of local Saxon electors and dukes, the collection also includes silver thalers of the Holy Roman Empire, as well as foreign money. Particularly valuable are the very rare Schreckenberg grah, the Italian scudo minted in 1630, and the thallero or "thallero" minted by the Duke of Thor's mint. After centuries in the ground, the coins turned green.
Archaeological experts believe that the money was minted after the Thirty Years' War (1618-1648), which was one of the largest military conflicts of its time in Europe and claimed the lives of about eight million people.
Based on the range of coins in the collection, experts have concluded that the collection probably belonged to Johann Dondorf, who was mayor of Wettin in the late 1660s and was one of the city's "richest citizens," according to a statement from the administration. . This is because at the time the coins were deposited, the house on this street belonged to Dondorf. The mayor's income came mainly from agriculture, viticulture, and brewing.
