Treasure hunt - Cologne professional prospector finds silver treasure
Cologne professional treasure hunter Carsten Konze ("German Treasure Hunter") discovered a medieval silver hoard in Bavaria. The 14 silver coins were likely stored in the pouch of a merchant, Konze (47) told the news agency dpa. "Such a find is rather rare." He had handed it over to the city museum of Nordlingen, where it was picked up by the Bavarian Monument Preservation Office. It consisted of pennies and shillings from Ulm and Konstanz with a minting date from 1423.
Konze estimated the collector value of the find at a four-digit amount. Until recently, he could have kept the find, but Bavaria has recently introduced the so-called "Treasury Regulation". Accordingly, all finds that date from before the year 1800 are considered property of the Free State of Bavaria and must be handed over.
Konze views the change critically: "That's a big step back, which could lead to fewer reports being filed." In North Rhine-Westphalia, for example, only scientifically relevant finds would be retained and a reward would be paid for them.
The medieval silver hoard discovered by Carsten Konze in Bavaria originated from cities like Ulm and Konstanz, as indicated by the pennies and shillings found with a 1423 minting date. This remarkable find is now in the possession of the city museum in Nordlingen, situated in Bavaria.
Despite the collector value estimated to be in the four-digit range, Carsten Konze had to relinquish the medieval hoard due to Bavaria's new "Treasury Regulation." This regulation declares that all discoveries prior to 1800 are considered state property and must be handed over.
Bavaria's new legislation might discourage treasure hunters like Konze, as he expressed concerns about fewer reports being filed due to the absence of financial incentives. In contrast, North Rhine-Westphalia encourages reporting of scientifically relevant finds, offering rewards for such discoveries.
Fascinated by Cologne's rich history, many people visit the City Museum to delve into archival findings and ancient artifacts, adding to the city's appeal as a cultural hub.
