While surveying a Swiss bog, 2 volunteer archaeologists found what might be 2 of the earliest Celtic coins ever discovered in the nation, and they might have been offerings to ancient gods.

The 2 gold coins were minted practically 2,300 years earlier, around the mid-third century B.C. “This makes them part of a very small group of just over 20 known examples of the oldest Celtic coins from Switzerland,” Swiss archaeologists stated in a equated declaration launched Dec. 18.

In this case, gold staters minted throughout the reign of Philip II of Macedon, the daddy of Alexander the Greatwere mimicked. Both coins display the profile of the Greek god Apollo on the “heads” side (obverse) and a two-horse chariot on the “tails” side (reverse).

The 2 newly found coins were customized somewhat from their Greek originals. On the smaller sized one’s reverse, a triple spiral can be seen underneath the horses. This sign, referred to as a triskele (likewise called a triskelion), appears often in Celtic art.

The uncommon coins were uncovered mostly on an inkling. In between 2022 and 2023, volunteer archaeologists with Archaeology Baselland, the regional historical department, found 34 Celtic silver coins discovered in the exact same location– the Bärenfels bog near the town of Arisdorf. This triggered Wolfgang Niederberger and Daniel Mona, likewise volunteer archaeologists with Archaeology Baselland, to do follow-up examinations there in spring 2025, when they found the 2 gold coins, according to the declaration.

The Bärenfels bog in Switzerland has numerous water-filled sinkholes. The Celts typically picked water-filled locations like this for votive offerings. (Image credit: © Archaeology Baselland)Offerings for the gods?It’s possible these 2 coins were transferred as an offering to the gods, according to the declaration.