2,000-Year-Old Celtic Coin Hoard Unearthed in Germany
Discovery in Thuringia represents the largest known coin hoard of its kind from the first century B.C. in the region.
An extensive collection of ancient Celtic coins, dating back over 2,000 years, has been discovered at a construction site in Thuringia, Germany, marking the largest known coin hoard from the first century B.C. to be found in the region. The find was announced by the Thuringian State Office for Monument Preservation and Archaeology (TLDA).
Archaeologists conducting investigations at Singer Berg ahead of the construction of a new fire station uncovered the coins. Subsequent excavations in August 2026 confirmed that the 11 coins are ancient Celtic currency known as Prague-type quinarii, originating from the first century B.C. Previously, only about 80 examples of these quinarii had been identified in Thuringia.
Officials believe the coins were originally buried together in a container made of organic material, which has since decomposed. The coins were found spread across an area approximately 19 feet by 5 feet, a scattering likely caused by plowing over centuries. Archaeologists described the find as a "closed find," indicating that all the coins originally deposited together have been recovered.
The discovery provides valuable information for researchers studying ancient trade routes and production centers of the period. In addition to the Celtic coins, the site also yielded an ancient Roman coin, a medieval glass bead, a knife fragment, another silver coin, and a Prussian uniform button from the 19th or 20th century.
The TLDA emphasized the importance of preserving the archaeological context of discoveries, contrasting it with findings made through undocumented metal detecting. The organization stated that the Singer hoard has significantly expanded current knowledge of the area and its historical context.
