Largest 15th-Century Silver Hoard Discovered in Kolomna

Archaeologists have uncovered a hoard of more than 2,600 silver coins hidden in a small pitcher in the historical center of Kolomna. The find is identified as the largest known coin collection from the first half of the 15th century. The excavation was carried out by the Moscow Region Expedition of the Institute of Archaeology of the Russian Academy of Sciences, led by Asya Engovatova, as part of rescue archaeological works. Composition and Origin of the Coins The majority of the coins were minted during the second and third decades of the 15th century under the reigns of Prince Vasily I Dmitrievich (1389–1425) and Vasily II Vasilyevich the Dark (1425ᑢ). Researchers highlighted specific specimens featuring an image of a flying bird, noting that some of these coins had not previously appeared in museum collections.