A 15th-century treasure worth $6 million was recently discovered in Kolomna

In total, the jug contains over 2,600 silver coins. The treasure was discovered by a Moscow Region expedition of the Institute of Archaeology of the Russian Academy of Sciences. The coins date back to the early 15th century. The bulk of the hoard consists of coins belonging to Grand Dukes Vasily I Dmitrievich (son of Dmitry Donskoy) and Vasily II Vasilyevich the Dark (grandson of Dmitry Donskoy).

Archaeologists note that the coins depicting a flying bird – which were minted directly in Kolomna – are of particular value. They are rarely found in other regions. Many of the coins were previously unknown to science and are not found in museum collections. The current estimated value of the find is estimated to be 500 million rubles (approx. $6 million). In the 15th century, these coins could have bought two town houses or an entire herd of horses.

Historians speculate that, in the early 15th century, a wealthy merchant or official hid the money, but was later unable to retrieve it. The leading theory is that the plague of 1425–1427 prevented this.

The find is recognized as the largest known and fully preserved coin hoard from that era. It offers a unique opportunity to study in detail the circulation of money and coin minting in the Grand Duchy of Moscow in the early 15th century. Once all research is complete, the coins are planned to be transferred to the Kolomensko-Zaraisky State Museum-Reserve.