While exploring a Swiss bog, two volunteer archaeologists have discovered what may be the two oldest Celtic coins ever found in the country. Perhaps they were offerings to the ancient gods.
two gold the coins were minted almost 2,300 years ago, around the middle of the third century BC. “This makes them part of a very small group of just over 20 known examples of the oldest Celtic coins from Switzerland,” the Swiss archaeologists said in their report. translated statement released December 18.
In this case, gold staters minted during the reign of Philip II of Macedon, father Alexander the Greatwere imitated. Both coins feature the profile of the Greek god Apollo on the heads side (obverse) and a chariot drawn by two horses on the tails side (reverse).
However, the two newfound coins were slightly modified from their Greek originals. For example, on the reverse of the smaller coin, a triple helix can be seen under the horses. This symbol, known as a triskele (also called a triskelion), appears frequently in Celtic art.
Rare coins were discovered mainly by chance. Between 2022 and 2023, volunteer archaeologists from the local archaeological department Archeology Baselland discovered 34 Celtic silver coins found in the same area – the Bärenfels bog near the municipality of Arisdorf. This prompted Wolfgang Niederberger and Daniel Mona, also volunteer archaeologists with Archeology Baseland, to conduct further exploration there in the spring of 2025, when they discovered two gold coins, according to the statement.
Offerings to the gods?
According to the statement, it is possible that the two coins were set aside as an offering to the gods.
“Experts suggest that Celtic gold coins were not used for everyday transactions. They were too valuable for that,” the report notes. Including salary payments, they could also be used as diplomatic gifts, gifts to followers, to achieve political goals, or as a dowry.
Celtic coins are often found near swamps and bodies of water. This pattern is also evident in Arisdorf, where water-filled sinkholes form the Bährenfels bog. The Celts considered such places sacred and dedicated to the gods, so it seems reasonable to assume that the coins were placed there intentionally as offerings, the statement notes.
Both coins will be displayed together with silver coins from the same site in a special showcase in Basel, starting in March 2026.
