NLTimes.nl reports on Dutch public-works diggers who found a trove of treasure – not just scientific treasure, but a literal pot of 15th-century gold coins buried outside Vienen:
The pot of coins was discovered by waterworks employees during excavation work for Hoef en Haag, a new town between Vianen and Hagestein. They immediately contacted Utrecht’s archeological hotline, who closed off the area and collected the pot and coins.
Initial investigation by archeologist Peter de Boer revealed that the coins – 12 gold, the rest silver – were hidden in a simple cooking pot made of glazed earthenware. Some textiles were also found in the pot, indicating that the coins were packed in fabric bags or cloths. Most of the coins seem to date from the 1470’s and 1480’s. Some of the coins show King Henri VI of England, Bishop of Utrecht David of Burgundy, and Pope Paul II.
De Boer is very excited about this discovery. “Actually, every coin in this treasure is a story in precious metal”, he said to the broadcaster. “Every gentleman gave out his ‘business card’ by way of a coin, and therefore there is a lot to discover. Stories over power relations, religion and a lot of symbolism.”
[via Archaeological News]