Imagine holding a piece of history in your hands, a 2,200-year-old treasure that defies the odds of time and tells a story of ancient cultures colliding. That’s exactly what happened in Gundorf, Germany, when a metal detectorist stumbled upon a ‘rainbow cup’—a gold coin so named for its curved shape and the enchanting folklore that treasure lies where rainbows touch the earth. But here’s where it gets fascinating: this coin wasn’t minted by the locals. It was crafted by the Celts, a people who never inhabited this region. So, how did it end up in eastern Germany? And this is the part most people miss: only two other Celtic coins have ever been found in the German state of Saxony, suggesting these treasures likely arrived through trade between the Celts and Germanic-speaking tribes. Saxony state archaeologist Regina Smolnik notes that this particular rainbow cup is in remarkable condition, hinting it was cherished as a valuable keepsake rather than spent as currency. This discovery raises intriguing questions about ancient trade networks and cultural exchanges that we’re still piecing together today. Could this coin have been a symbol of wealth, a gift, or even a token of alliance? What do you think? Share your thoughts in the comments below! For more on these mesmerizing finds, check out the article on ‘Golden Lucky Charms’ (https://archaeology.org/issues/may-june-2022/digs-discoveries/digs-germany-rainbow-cups/) and explore how these ancient artifacts continue to captivate us with their mysteries. (Photo: M. Pilekić)
