Lost WWII Gold Treasure Worth Over $340,000 Unearthed on Zvičina Hill in Czech Republic
- Victor Nwoko
- Apr 29
- 3 min read
A routine hike turned into a historic archaeological event when two individuals discovered a buried gold treasure on the southwestern slope of Zvičina Hill in the Czech Republic. The extraordinary find, made in early February 2025 near the Polish border, includes 598 gold coins, an array of yellow metal jewelry, and several personal artifacts, totaling approximately seven kilograms in weight. Of that, the gold coins alone weigh around 3.7 kilograms.
The treasure was unearthed from two separate containers hidden inside an artificially constructed stone wall at the edge of a forested field. One aluminum jar, partly visible above ground, contained the gold coins neatly arranged in eleven columns and wrapped in black cloth. A second metal box located about a meter away held a fine mesh wire purse, ten bracelets, sixteen tobacco pouches, a chain with a key, a comb, and a powder compact—all crafted from yellow metal.
The artifacts were promptly handed over to the Museum of Eastern Bohemia in Hradec Králové, where preservation efforts are now underway. According to Miroslav Novák, Head of the Archaeological Department, the find is exceptional due to the sheer weight of the precious metal and the relatively recent age of the artifacts compared to typical prehistoric deposits. Novák explained that depositing valuable items underground has been a long-standing human practice during times of crisis or transition, with the intent to recover them later. This cache, however, stands out because of its significant mass and the diversity of its contents.
Initial analysis by museum coin specialist Vojtěch Brádle revealed that the coins date from 1808 to 1915, but several pieces carry miniature counter-stamps believed to have been applied after World War I. This suggests the treasure may have been hidden during or after the 1920s or 1930s. The coins originated from multiple countries, including France, Belgium, Turkey (Ottoman Empire), Austria-Hungary, Romania, Italy, and Russia. Strikingly, there were no German or Czechoslovak coins present. Many of the Austro-Hungarian coins appear to have been minted specifically for circulation in Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, then part of the former Yugoslavia.
While the precise reason and timing behind the treasure's concealment remain unknown, several theories have emerged. Some historians suggest it may have been hidden by Czech citizens escaping the Nazi occupation post-1938, while others believe German residents buried it before their post-World War II expulsion in 1945. Another possibility links the deposit to fears during the 1953 communist monetary reforms, which incentivized citizens to safeguard their wealth privately.
Museum director Petr Grulich noted the difficulty in identifying the original owner(s), emphasizing that the treasure may have belonged to Czech, German, or Jewish individuals. The cultural and historical context remains under investigation, with the composition of the yellow metal objects currently being analyzed by the Czech Assay Office to determine the exact material and proper conservation methods.
The Museum of Eastern Bohemia plans to display the collection to the public once preservation is complete, offering a rare glimpse into a hidden chapter of regional history. Under Czech law, the two discoverers may be eligible for a reward of up to 10 percent of the collection’s value, based on its current estimated worth of more than $340,000.
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