Discovery of an Ancient Celtic Silver Hoard in Singen
Archaeologists in Singen, Germany, have unearthed a remarkable Celtic silver treasure dating back to the 1st century BCE. The hoard consists of 11 silver Prague-type quinarii coins, deliberately buried more than two millennia ago. This find represents the largest collection of such coins ever discovered in Thuringia. The coins were uncovered beneath a former sports field in the Ilm district, near the Singenberg hill, during excavations carried out in July-August 2025 and August 2026 under the leadership of Ronnie Krause.
Alongside the coins, the dig revealed several artifacts from later periods, including:
- a Roman denarius minted between 164 and 169 CE;
- an early medieval red and yellow glass bead;
- a silver coin from a later era;
- a Prussian uniform button.
The original container that held the coins has not survived, likely made from organic materials. The coins were found scattered over an area roughly 5.8 by 1.5 meters, displaced by plowing activities.
Historical and Cultural Importance
The Prague-type quinarii coins are believed to have been produced in the Gotha region, located northwest of Singen. The city itself lies between Gotha and notable Celtic sites in southern Thuringia, including the prominent Steinburg settlement on the Kleiner Gleichberg near Remchilde.
In a related discovery, Denmark recently revealed its largest Viking Age silver hoard, weighing 18.5 kilograms. This treasure, comprising approximately 700 items and fragments, was found near Rebild during a routine gardening project in a private yard, where the owner was preparing soil for a new terrace. Buried in a clay vessel around the 10th century, the Danish hoard nearly triples the weight of the previous record held by the Terslev hoard, which weighed about 6.5 kilograms.
The uncovering of the Celtic silver hoard in Singen alongside Denmark’s largest Viking silver trove highlights the vital role archaeology plays in deepening our understanding of Europe’s rich history.
These discoveries provide invaluable insights into the cultural and economic networks of ancient times and demonstrate how significant artifacts can surface in unexpected locations, opening new avenues for historical research. Beyond expanding academic knowledge, such findings enhance cultural heritage preservation and inspire greater public interest in archaeology worldwide.
The recent discovery of Celtic coins in Germany highlights the ongoing significance of ancient treasures across Europe. In a similar vein, a remarkable find in Poland unveiled a Roman silver denarius along with a bracelet, shedding light on the rich history of trade and craftsmanship in the region. For more details on this intriguing discovery, visit the report on the Polish site.