Four labourers in Karnataka discover 14 ancient gold coins during trench digging

Four labourers digging a cattle-proof trench in Karnataka's Belagavi district have handed over 14 ancient gold coins to government authorities six days after unearthing them, officials confirmed.

The workers, Appanna Talawar, Yallappa Karigar, Kenchappa Bandagi and Bhimanna Talawar, discovered the coins on August 29 while engaged in work under the VB G RAM G scheme near BCM Hostel in Inchal village, Saundatti taluk. The coins were found in the soil during excavation at survey number 820.

Confusion over protocol delayed handover

According to sources, the workers were initially unsure whom they should contact to surrender the coins. They approached Project Director Ravi Bangarappanavar on September 4, who alerted gram panchayat officials.

Saundatti Taluk Panchayat Executive Officer Basavaraj Ayyanagoudra told The Hindu that the gold coins were handed over to taluk officials at 5 p.m. on September 4, along with a written statement from the workers. A panchanama (inventory) was conducted in the presence of officials and local goldsmiths, who confirmed the items were gold coins.

54.88 grams of gold recovered

Appanna, Yallappa and Bhimanna each found four gold coins, while Kenchappa discovered two. "Each gold coin weighs around 3.91 grams. The total weight is 54.88 grams," the official said.

The coins have been deposited in the treasury. An assessment on the period of the coins needs to be carried out by experts, officials said.

Source: The Hindu