Image Credit: Nicole Gebhard. © Archaeology Baselland

Rare Celtic Gold Coins Discovered in a Swiss Bog

Archaeologists in Switzerland have identified two exceptionally rare Celtic gold coins dating back nearly 2,300 years, following their discovery in a bog landscape known for prehistoric activity.
The coins were found during a survey of the Bärenfels bog near the municipality of Arisdorf by volunteer archaeologists. Minted in the mid-third century BC, the finds belong to a very small group of the earliest known Celtic gold coins in Switzerland, with just over 20 comparable examples recorded nationwide.
One of the coins is a gold stater weighing approximately 7.8 grams, while the second is a quarter stater weighing about 1.86 grams. These early Celtic coins were inspired by Greek models, specifically gold staters issued during the reign of Philip II of Macedon. Both pieces depict the head of the god Apollo on one side and a two-horse chariot on the other, reflecting their Mediterranean origins.
Despite their Greek inspiration, the coins show distinctly Celtic modifications. Notably, the smaller coin features a triple spiral motif beneath the horses, a symbol commonly found in Celtic art. Such details highlight the adaptation of foreign imagery into local artistic traditions.
The discovery followed earlier finds in the same area, where dozens of Celtic silver coins were recovered between 2022 and 2023. These earlier discoveries prompted further investigation, ultimately leading to the recovery of the gold coins during fieldwork in 2025.
Celtic gold coins are rarely associated with everyday trade due to their high value. Archaeologists note that such coins are often found in wetland environments, which were regarded as sacred places in Celtic belief systems. The location of the find within a water-rich bog landscape aligns with this broader archaeological pattern.
The two gold coins will be displayed alongside the silver coins from the same site in a dedicated exhibition in Basel, opening in March 2026.

Published on: 22-12-2025

Edited by: Abdulmnam Samakie

Source: Live Science