What started as a scenic shortcut through the Krkonoše Mountains turned into the discovery of a lifetime for two unsuspecting hikers. Tucked behind a stony wall, an aluminum box caught their eye — and inside? A glittering trove of history.
The stash included 598 gold coins, ten bracelets, 17 cigar cases, and a powder compact comb. Weighing in at over 8 pounds, the gold alone is worth an estimated $360,000 — but the real value may lie in its story.
The hikers brought the box to the Museum of Eastern Bohemia, where experts quickly realized they were holding a 20th-century mystery. The newest coin is dated 1921, hinting that the treasure was buried no more than 100 years ago. But why? And by whom?
Theories swirl. Some think it was stashed during the chaos before World War II, as Jewish and Czech families fled their homes. Others believe it may have been hidden in 1945 as the Germans retreated. There’s even speculation it once belonged to aristocratic families or was wartime plunder from Czechoslovak legionnaires.
What makes the find even stranger is what’s missing: no Czech or German coins. Instead, the cache is split between French and Balkan origins, some marked by Yugoslavian stamps from the 1920s–30s.
Historians say this borderland region was a hotbed of tension after World War I—political unrest, economic collapse, and crime were rampant. So, hiding gold? It’s not so far-fetched.
Now in safe hands at the museum, the treasure will be analyzed further and displayed in an upcoming exhibit. As for ownership? Czech law says the treasure belongs to the region, but the hikers will be rewarded for their incredible find.
