Coins from Victorian era, Portuguese rule found in Goa govt office

Ancient coins, gold and jewellery have been found in a strongbox kept at a Portuguese-era govt building in Goa on Friday.

"We found gold pieces weighing 2.23 kilograms, 5,000 antique coins, 307 copper coins of different dates cumulatively weighing 3.15 kilograms, 814 coins weighing 4.78 kilograms with inscriptions in Arabic, 786 copper coins with Queen Victoria written, household items like tumblers etc," Goa chief minister Pramod Sawant said.

He added said that the strongbox was opened just for the second time since Goa was liberated in 1961. It was first opened in 1991.

The Indian Express reported that the treasure included items from the reign of William IV of the British Empire, the Victorian era and King Joao VI of Portugal.

The Directorate of Accounts office was recently shifted from Panaji to the new 'Lekha Bhavan' in Porvorim and the strongbox was opened as it needed to be moved to the new structure, Sawant said.

"All the items were documented and kept back in the box. Some samples of these items would be displayed in the state museum," the CM told reporters.

(With PTI inputs)