Unearthed a 300-year-old coin hidden by a Polish scammer

Metal detectorists have unearthed a treasure trove of coins that may have once belonged to a charlatan who hid in the mountains of south-central Poland after scamming people out of their money.

During the late 17th and early 18th centuries, Antoni Jaczewski, a "hermit and adventurer" , deceived the people of Kielce, a city near the Jeleniowskie Mountains. According to Polish legend, Jaczewski preached Convinced people of his healing powers, which he received from the mother of God, who lived with him in the wilderness, then lured them to his mountain settlement.

Two of the many silver coins found by metal detectors in the Polish mountains. (Photo: Świętokrzyska expedition group).

At the time, Poland was at war and a plague was sweeping the country, a double whammy that apparently convinced people to see Jaczewski. In exchange for receiving his medical treatments, people paid him for his treatment in gold and silver coins.

Authorities eventually captured and detained Jaczewski, but he later escaped and continued to scam people. In 1712, Jaczewski was arrested again but this time sentenced to life imprisonment.

Two years ago, metal detectors discovered this vault and have only now officially announced it. Sebastian Grabowiec, president of the Świętokrzyska Exploration Group, which discovered the treasure, said that in addition to the coins, the group also discovered a gold Hamburg ducat from 1648 depicting the Virgin Mary and child.

Sebastian Grabowiec, a metal detector expert who headed the expedition team, said: 'Up to this point, Jaczewski has been considered a fictional character. By finding Jaczewski's treasure, we have confirmed that this person really existed."

Garbowiec said authorities have not yet announced how many coins were discovered because the investigation is ongoing. These are coins from the late 17th and early 18th centuries, mainly made from silver.