14 ancient gold coins found by workers digging a trench in Karnataka

14 old gold coins weighing 54.88 grams were found by laborers while digging a trench in Inchal village of Saundatti taluk in Belagavi district of Karnataka on August 29, 2026. | Photo credit: Special arrangement

Four job card holders who were working under the VB G RAM G scheme in Belagavi district of Karnataka found 14 old gold coins weighing 54.88 grams which they immediately handed over to the government authorities.

The gold coins were found on August 29 and officially handed over to the authorities on Friday (September 4). The gold coins were deposited in the treasury. The validity of coins must be assessed by experts.

Four job card holders – Appanna Talawar, Yallappa Karigar, Kenchappa Bandagi and Bhimanna Talawar – were employed for CPT (Cattle Proof Trench) work near BCM Hostel in Inchal village of Saundatti taluk in Belagavi district on August 29 when they found coins in the soil.

According to sources, the workers were reportedly confused as to who they should contact to hand over the coins. On September 4, they approached the program’s project director Ravi Bangarappanavar, who alerted the gram panchayat officials.

Saundatti Tauk Panchayat Executive Director Basavaraj Ayyanagoudra told The Hindu that the gold coins were handed over to the taluk officials with a written declaration by the workers on September 4 at 5 pm. A “panchanama” (inventory) was conducted.

Appanna, Yallappa and Bhimanna found four gold coins each while Kenchappa found two gold coins. “The panchanama was conducted in the presence of officials and local goldsmiths who confirmed that these are gold coins. Each gold coin weighs around 3.91 grams. The total weight is 54.88 grams,” the official said.

CPT work was going on in Survey No. 820 in Inchal village.

Published – 5 Sep 2026 12:20 PM IST