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During a construction site, workers came across a surprising discovery: four bags containing 816 gold and silver coins, hidden for almost 400 years. The mystery of these coins reveals secrets of the past and arouses the curiosity of archaeologists and historians.
A group of restorers working on the Church of Santo André, in ice life, Germany, revealed a discovery amazing in May 2022, kept secret until November 2024. Inside the leg of a sandstone statue, they found four bags containing 816 gold and silver coins, hidden for almost 400 years.
The treasure dates back to the time of Thirty Years' War (1618–1648), a period marked by looting, religious wars and devastation across Europe.
Historical context and the importance of the Church
St. Andrew's Church is known as the place where Martin Luther, leader of the Protestant Reformation, delivered his last sermons in 1546.
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About a century later, in 1640, someone used the church as a safe haven to hide the coins.”It's a miracle that the treasure has remained intact for so long.“, Ulf Dräger, curator at the State Coin Office of Saxony-Anhalt, told Live Science.
During the Thirty Years' War, Saxony-Anhalt was frequently attacked by Swedish troops. Local residents were forced to feed soldiers, house troops and pay heavy taxes, leading many to hide their most valuable possessions.
Eisleben lost half its population between 1628 and 1650, and the discovery sheds light on survival strategies at the time.
What does the treasure contain?
The find includes gold and silver coins, such as ducats, silverware and a rare coin called a “golden angel”.
The gold coins were carefully packaged and labeled, suggesting that they belonged to the church treasury.
These were not ordinary donations, but money raised from special services such as weddings and funerals. There were also fees collected from privileged seats within the church.
"This treasure represents more than a year's salary for a craftsman of the time.“, Dräger pointed out. A successful miner, for example, earned about 1 thaler a week, while basic items such as a pound of butter cost 3 cents.
The origin of the treasure – gold and silver coins
Historians believe the treasure may be related to the Pastoral Aerarium, a common fund established in 1561 to support local pastors, finance their retirement and medical care, and promote the training of theologians.”Perhaps we are facing this historical background”, Dräger speculated.
The loss of the coins is believed to have been a devastating blow to the religious community at the time.
Today, however, the discovery serves as a historical testament to the hardships faced during the war and the role of churches as centers of economic and social support.
Next steps in research
The exact value of the treasure is yet to be determined. Researchers plan to analyze each coin individually and make their findings available online.
The coins will also be displayed at the Moritzburg Art Museum in Halle and in St. Andrew's Church itself.
"The collaboration with the Protestant Parish Association of Lutherstadt Eisleben has enabled this treasure to be shared with the public and the scientific community.“, said Dräger.
The discovery represents a unique opportunity to better understand the cultural and economic history of the region, marked by conflicts and profound transformations.
The revelation of this historical treasure reinforces the importance of preservation in religious and cultural monuments.
More than a collection of coins, it symbolizes the spirit of resilience of a community devastated by war, now rediscovered to enrich the collective European memory.
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