In the summer of 2025, a certified artifact seeker named Daniel Fest made a monumental discovery near Leipzig that rewrote a chapter of Saxon history. While using a metal detector, Fest unearthed a minuscule gold coin. Its condition was so pristine that experts described it as being “almost undisturbed since the time of the Celts.” This relic dates back to the 3rd century BC and has been officially designated as the oldest coin ever recovered within the German state of Saxony.
The coin, which analysis showed was composed of nearly 100% pure gold, was identified as a Celtic quarter stater. This denomination represents one of the earliest forms of coinage struck in North Bohemia.
Dr. Regina Smolnik, the State Archaeologist of Saxony, emphasized the extreme rarity of such objects in this specific location. The region lies outside the primary settlement areas of the Celtic tribes, making its presence highly unusual.
Despite its geographical isolation from the core Celtic territory, the discovery provides compelling evidence of active trade and extensive contact between the local communities residing in what is now Saxony and the powerful Celtic tribes of Central Europe.
Physically, the artifact is remarkably small, weighing just two grams—less than a modern US penny or European cent coin—and possesses a distinct dome-like shape. One face of the coin features a stylized animal head, characterized by a convex forehead, a lengthy nose, and prominent horns.
The reverse side is adorned with symbols typical of Celtic artistry. These include an open torc with flared ends, a five-pointed star featuring rounded rays, and a central sphere. Historically, such motifs were believed to function as protective amulets and served as markers of nobility, symbolizing strength and defense for the wearer or owner.
Due to their convex embossing, these coins earned the popular nickname “rainbow bowls” (Regenbogenschüsselchen). According to ancient folklore, they were believed to have “fallen from the sky” at the precise spot where a rainbow touched the earth—a belief stemming from the fact that farmers frequently found them in fields following heavy rains.
Mr. Fest acted responsibly, immediately notifying the State Office for Archaeology about his find. Following thorough expert examination, the coin was officially registered as a cultural monument. Dr. Smolnik suggested that this particular item was unlikely utilized as a standard medium of exchange. Instead, she posits that it functioned as a high-value status symbol or a form of preserved wealth, likely belonging to a member of the local elite who maintained connections with the extensive Celtic trade networks.
Prior to this discovery, the oldest known Saxon coin was a stater recovered from the Zauschwitz area, which was dated to approximately the 1st century BC. The new quarter stater effectively pushes back the documented beginnings of monetary circulation in Saxony by nearly a century. This finding conclusively demonstrates that the region was integrated into interregional trade routes much earlier than historians had previously theorized.
Currently, only eleven Celtic coins are known to exist across the entire state of Saxony, and only two of these are gold. Crucially, only the newly unearthed quarter stater remains preserved in such an almost pristine, original state. Given its diminutive size—just two grams—archaeologists anticipate that it will likely be recorded as the smallest artifact ever officially transferred to the State Archaeological Office of Saxony.
Barbara Klepsch, the Minister of Culture and Tourism for the state, emphasized that this find represents a “tangible fragment of our history,” illuminating ancient trade routes and connections between different peoples. She further stressed that Daniel Fest’s exemplary actions highlight the vital importance of collaboration between private citizens and scientists in safeguarding cultural heritage. The gold coin, specifically identified as originating from Günzendorf, is slated to join the permanent collection at the Museum of Archaeology of Saxony in Chemnitz, making it accessible to the public soon.