'Incredible criminal energy' shown in theft of hundreds of ancient coins: official

The Celtic-Roman Museum is pictured in the evening light, in Manching, Germany, Tuesday Nov. 22, 2022. (Armin Weigel/dpa via AP) 

BERLIN — A huge horde of ancient gold coins dating back to around 100 B.C. has been stolen from a museum in southern Germany, police said Tuesday.

Bavarian state police said it was stolen early Tuesday from the Celtic and Roman Museum in Manching, 60 kilometres (37 miles) north of Munich.

The 483 coins were discovered in 1999 during excavations of an ancient settlement in Manchning and are considered the biggest trove of Celtic gold found in the 20th century.

The German news agency dpa reported that authorities estimate the value of the coins, which together weighed about 4 kilograms (8.8 pounds), at several million euros (dollars).

"The loss of the Celtic treasure is a disaster," it quoted Bavaria's Minister of Science and Arts, Markus Blume, saying. "As a testament to our history, the gold coins are irreplaceable."

He said the thieves had shown "incredible criminal energy."

Police are appealing for witnesses who might have seen suspicious individuals near the museum or have other information that could lead to the recovery of the treasure.