Belgian Student Finds $10 Million in Gold Coins, Bars

A construction team in Belgium recently uncovered a $10.4 million gold hoard hidden beneath a historic brewery building. An 18-year-old student known as Kobe, who was part of a construction team excavating the former brewery’s sewer, first discovered what appeared to be typical €1 coins. They turned out to belong to a much larger hoard of gold coins, bars, and nuggets worth €9 million (US$10.4 million) hidden behind an old brick wall under a villa once owned by brewery operator Theophilus Van Assche. 

Kobe and his colleagues notified law enforcement and the firm running the construction project to secure the treasure and determine to whom it belongs. Belgian law will likely give Van Assche’s descendants time to make a claim on the gold. However, Kobe and his colleagues may also receive a reward for making the find. 

The hoard includes more than 40 gold bars and some 4,000 coins. However, details are still emerging as authorities inventory the find and ascertain who has rightful ownership of the massive haul. The property where the gold stash was discovered is known as Brouwershuis, which itself has a fascinating story dating back to 1899, when brewing began at the site and continued there until 1970.