Anklamer coin treasure

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Parts of the hoard found in the exhibition

The hoard , known as Anklamer Münzschatz , also known as Anklamer Münzfund , is a depot find of 2579 coins as well as various items of jewelery and utensils from the first half of the 17th century.

Find history

The find was made in 1995 in the Hanseatic city of Anklam in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and is considered the most important archaeological find from the time of the Thirty Years' War in Pomerania . The coin treasure is in the permanent exhibition of the museum in the Steintor (permanent loan from the State Office for Culture and Monument Preservation Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania ).

During the excavation of a late Gothic cellar from the 14th or 15th century at Anklamer Wollweberstrasse 42, the remains of a wooden box were discovered in a niche that was subsequently broken into a fire protection wall. The entire find was in the box with a base area of ​​45 cm by 20 cm and an unknown height, of which 10 cm had been preserved.

Components of the find

Of the 2579 coins, the oldest is from the 13th century, the final coin bears the mint date 1629. Since the destruction of the house during the Thirty Years War is documented in 1637 and the outbreak of a plague known as the plague in 1638, the find must be presented this time and after the minting of the final coin. The contemporary value of the coins alone is around 270 thalers . In comparison, five municipalities belonging to the city had to hand over 140 thalers of land lease and natural produce to Anklam each year.

Other parts of the find include two richly decorated spoons made of silver , on the back of which the names of the presumed owners were engraved. The name Jaspar Wulf could be assigned to a member of the Anklam brewing guild. Jaspar Wulf was registered in the Anklam Braurolle on December 3, 1610 and died on April 12, 1631.

A quill pen had traces of ink showing its use. Such holders were mostly worn by women and were intended to indicate their business activities.

Four silver heraldic shields served as pendants for welcome cups . Various utensils from contemporary clothing such as gilded belt plates and belt fasteners, letter pendants and textile trimmings were also part of the find.

interpretation

Due to the content and size of the find, it is assumed that not one, but several wealthy people were the owners of the depot, who perhaps wanted to protect their property from the contribution demands of the military occupiers. It is also possible that the stolen goods have been hoarded for a longer period of time. As to why the depot was not later recovered, one can only make assumptions based on the war or the outbreak of the disease.

literature

  • Holger Fries: Catalog . In: Anklam. Settlement on the river . Exhibition catalog Museum im Steintor, Anklam 2009, ISBN 9783000275678 .

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