14 ancient gold coins found during rural employment work
Belagavi : A group of workers engaged under the VB G-RAM-G scheme stumbled upon 14 gold coins believed to be several centuries old while carrying out work in Inchala village of Savadatti taluk in Belagavi district.
The workers, instead of taking the coins home, immediately handed them over to the local gram panchayat in the presence of officials and police, earning appreciation from the taluk administration for their honesty.
Savadatti tahsildar Mallikarjun Heggannavar said the coins were found in the form of what appeared to be an old hoard. Each coin weighs approximately 3.92 grams, with the combined weight of the 14 coins being around 54.8 grams.
“All 14 coins have a similar design. An elephant is depicted on one side, while the other side carries an old-style design,” Heggannavar said.
The workers handed over the coins at the Inchala gram panchayat office in the presence of the panchayat development officer, deputy tahsildar and personnel from the Muragod police station.
On Friday, Inchala PDO Mallappa Harugoppa formally handed over the coins to the taluk administration.
A preliminary valuation conducted at a jewellery shop in Savadatti estimated the value of the 14 coins at around Rs 8.20 lakh. However, officials said this was only an initial assessment and that their actual value could be determined only after examination by experts from the archaeology department.
Officials are also awaiting an assessment of the coins’ historical significance, origin and exact period. Based on their appearance, the coins are tentatively suspected to be between 800 and 1,000 years old.
“The actual period, historical importance and official value of the coins can be established only after an examination by the archaeology department,” Heggannavar said.
The tahsildar said he had informed the deputy commissioner and sub-divisional magistrate about the discovery over the phone. Based on their directions, the coins were subsequently handed over to the treasury department for safe custody.
The discovery has generated interest among local residents, particularly because the coins were unearthed during routine labour work rather than during any organised excavation.
The administration is expected to seek an expert opinion to determine whether the coins belong to a particular historical period or dynasty and whether they have archaeological significance.
PDO Mallappa Harugoppa praised the workers for immediately surrendering the coins to the authorities.
“The VB G-RAM-G workers have shown great honesty by handing over all 14 gold coins. The taluk administration appreciates their conduct. We handed over the coins to the taluk administration under the supervision of the tahsildar,” he said.
Officials, including Savadatti municipal commissioner Sanganabasayya, PSI Lakshman Gowda, EO Basavaraj Ayyanagowdar, CDPO Amrut Sanikoppa and other personnel, were present during the proceedings.
The coins will remain with the authorities until their origin, age and historical value are established through an official examination.