A treasure trove of 17th century silver coins has been found under the floor of a monastic church.

Archaeologists from the University of Gdansk were working in the presbytery of the 14th century Church of the Saint Andrew the Apostle in the town ofBarczewo in Poland's northern province of Warmia, when they discovered a glazed ceramic mug handle filled with nearly 1,000 coins.

Coins were also scattered around the vessel.

The treasure was hidden underground in the north-western corner of the chancel near what is known as the rainbow arch.

Though covered in dirt and needing a good clean after their 400-year hibernation, the experts from Gdansk said that the coins are relativelywell-preserved.

The coins are silver and were struck for the Polish royal crown and bear the image of King Sigismund III Vasa's long reign (1587-1632).

The find is made up mainly of lower denomination Polish coins, and includes groschens, 1.5 groschens, as well as 3 and 6 groschen coins.

The haul includes many Prussian shillings struck for Prince George Wilhelm Hohenzollern, who was a fief of the Republic of Poland, as well as Lithuaniancoins.

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Thousands of 17th centurysilver coins found buried in Teutonic Knights' church(https://www.thefirstnews.com/article/thousands-of-17th-century-silver-coins-found-buried-in-teutonic-knights-church-7042)