14 ancient gold coins found by workers digging trench in Belagavi district of Karnataka

14 ancient gold coins, weighing 54.88 grams, were found by workers 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 engaged in work taken up under the VB G RAM G scheme in Belagavi district of Karnataka found 14 ancient gold coins weighing 54.88 gramsx, which they promptly handed over to government authorities.The gold coins were found on August 29 and were officially handed over to the authorities on Friday (September 4). The gold coins have been deposited in the treasury. An assessment on the period of the coins needs to be carried out by experts.Four job card holders — Appanna Talawar, Yallappa Karigar, Kenchappa Bandagi, and Bhimanna Talawar — were engaged for the 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 in confusion about whom they should contact to hand over the coins. On September 4, they approached the Project Director of the scheme Ravi Bangarappanavar, who alerted the gram panchayat officials.Saundatti Tauk Panchayat Executive Officer Basavaraj Ayyanagoudra told The Hindu that the gold coins were handed over to the taluk officials with a written statement of the workers at 5 p.m. on September 4. A ‘panchanama’ (inventory) was conducted.Appanna, Yallappa, and Bhimanna had 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 they were gold coins. Each gold coin weighs around 3.91 grams. The total weight is 54.88 grams,” the official said.The CPT work was being carried in survey no. 820 in Inchal village. Published - September 05, 2026 12:20 pm IST