Białystok/ 69 coins from the 17th century were found by explorers in the Knyszyńska Forest

Sixty-nine 17th-century coins—including a gold ducat and 68 various silver coins—were found by explorers from the Magna Silva group in the Knyszyńska Forest. The treasure was unveiled on Tuesday at the Podlasie Museum in Białystok.

The gold ducat dates from 1633. The other coins also date from the 1620s and 1630s. They are of various denominations.

The management of the Podlasie Museum emphasizes that such a treasure is a rare and unique find, and moreover, it was found during a search for which the explorers had all the required permissions to conduct the search, including the consent of the monument conservator.

The treasure was found using metal detectors this summer. Searchers from the Magna Silva group, which operates under the auspices of the Wielki Las Association of Friends of the Knyszyńska Forest, say it was a random find that surprised everyone. They are not disclosing the exact location of the coins to prevent bystanders from damaging the site.

The coins were found along a communication route on forestry property. Researchers hypothesize that the coins were in a bag or purse made of some organic material, but this has not been preserved, Hubert Lepionka from the Archaeology Department of the Podlasie Museum announced at a press conference. He added that the person who deposited the treasure must have been of average means, such as a merchant, military officer, or someone involved in forestry. He emphasized that determining this is very difficult and can only be speculated upon.

"A gold ducat and 68 silver coins are a wonderful find, which also demonstrates that cooperation between associations, explorers, the conservation office, and museums yields excellent results. This is because it's the result of somewhat random research. No one knew there would be a 100% accurate find," said Karol Łopatecki, deputy provincial conservator of monuments and professor at the University of Białystok.

The gold ducat is the most valuable. Hubert Lepionka said that gold coins were used for large transactions at the time, and not everyone could handle them. He pointed out that silver coins were usually used for payment.

"We have a six-penny coin, which is 6 groszy, four three-penny coin, and the rest are one-and-a-half groszy," Lepionka explained. There are also two small szeląg coins.

Professor Łopatecki added that a gold ducat, equivalent to approximately 170 groszy, could buy a good horse. Hubert Lepionka also compared that this sum could sustain one for 87 days, according to old conversion rates.

The treasure is to be transferred to the numismatic collections of the Podlasie Museum. Lepionka emphasized that this is the first hoard containing a gold coin transferred to the museum's collections through legal exploration. The treasure has not yet been appraised and is currently in the custody of the Podlasie Museum. The museum is seeking approval from the conservator of monuments to transfer the treasure to that institution.

"This is a significant moment for us, as we smile at the thought of what's happening here," said Dr. Waldemar Wilczewski, director of the Podlasie Museum. He added that the museum is the right institution to receive such finds so they can be protected, studied, conserved, and exhibited.

"Such a treasure is not only a source of euphoria and excitement upon discovery, but also a great responsibility," said Krzysztof Korzeniewski of the Magna Silva group. He added that after the discovery, archaeological work was underway to uncover and secure the treasure. The search will continue. (PAP)

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