Ancient gold and silver coins dating back to 7th century discovered in western Georgia

Grave diggers have found ancient gold and silver coins in Bandza village, Martvili Municipality. The fact that we discovered coins from different centuries makes us consider that the site used to be a treasury of a local temple,” stated the director of Martvili Local Museum Givi Eliava to Radio Liberty/Georgia.

Eliava examined the coins before taking them to the police. Director of Martvili Local Museum claims that the coins date back to the 7th and 10th centuries.

Givi Eliava believes that the treasury was hidden by priest Anton Kekelia, while the temple was under danger of collapsing during the Soviet Union period. Some sources say Anton Kekelia used the treasury for charity reasons. The coins were found at a patrimonial cemetery, when the grave was dug to bury Anton’s grandchild.

The information regarding the golden and silver coins was spread on December 10. The finders gave half of the treasure to Kekelia’s family and the other half took to Kutaisi to sell when police started an investigation. For now, Ministry of Internal Affairs is consulting with the Ministry of Culture to clarify the date and value of the coins.