A remarkable discovery was made near the village of Zewierszczów in the Lublin Voivodeship of Poland, when a local metal detectorist came across a hoard of thousands of mid-17th-century coins.
The find was uncovered by Grzegorz Panek, a member of the Hrubieszów Historical–Exploration Association “GROSSUS,” who has been engaged for years in official searches for objects of historical value under conservation permits. In the process of investigating a strong signal from his detector, Panek unearthed several copper coins near the surface. What at first appeared to be scattered pieces soon revealed itself as part of a very large hoard. Additional coins poured out of the ground as he dug, eventually totaling some 5,000 specimens by estimation.
The discovery was immediately reported to heritage authorities. Archaeologists from the conservator’s office in Zamość and representatives from the Museum in Hrubieszów visited the site the following day to inspect the location. There were no structural remains or associated features, likely due to erosion and centuries of agricultural use, which had disturbed the soil layers.
Preliminary analysis suggests that most of the hoard dates from the years 1650–1657, during the reign of King Jan II Kazimierz. Most of the copper coins are so-called “boratynki,” small-denomination currency minted in huge numbers for both the Crown and the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. They are named for Tito Livio Burattini, the royal official who organized their minting. Although modest in value in their time and still common among collectors today, the quantity of the find gives researchers a rare window into the circulation of everyday currency in early modern Poland.
Aside from the copper specimens, 29 higher-value silver coins were found in the hoard. These include six-grosz coins minted during the reign of Jan Kazimierz, as well as specimens minted during the reigns of John III Sobieski, Frederick William of Brandenburg, Christian of Wolosek, Leopold I, and Joachim VIII. The silver coins were minted between 1660 and 1705, suggesting that the deposit was concealed at the beginning of the 18th century. This interpretation was supported by remnants of decayed canvas, presumably pieces of the bag that had held the coins when they were originally buried.
The treasure has already been transferred in its entirety to the Hrubieszów Museum, where it will undergo thorough conservation and analysis by experts. The process will also prepare the treasure for future public display, allowing visitors to gain a better understanding of the economic and historical context of the region during a tumultuous period in Polish and European history.
While individual “boratynki” are not of significant monetary value, the importance of the find lies in its number and what it reveals about economic life in the past. Large coin hoards are rare, and this one provides a tangible connection with the 17th century, when political conflict and insecurity regularly caused people to bury their wealth for safekeeping—sometimes never to return.
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