**A Late 16th-Century Hoard Discovered in the Netherlands**
This hoard was discovered during excavation work at the site of Rotterdam’s former City Hall. It had most likely been hidden beneath the floorboards on the ground floor. Interestingly, 450 years ago this building also served as the city hall rather than a private residence.
The hoard consisted of 1,477 silver coins concealed inside a shoe. The oldest coin dates to 1472, while the most recent was minted in 1592.
Most of the coins were struck locally, although some originated from England and Spain. In the late 16th century, foreign coins also circulated in the region. Their value depended primarily on their weight and the purity of the silver rather than their country of origin.
The total value of the hoard was roughly equivalent to two months' wages for an experienced craftsman who had attained the rank of master.
The hoard was likely hidden (perhaps by one of the city's officials) during the Eighty Years' War (1568–1648), when the Dutch fought for independence from Spain. Its owner was probably hoping to safeguard his savings until more peaceful times, but sadly, he never returned to reclaim them.