Although according to some sources, mining took place in the area of today’s Kremnica in the 8th century BC, the town was founded in 770. Gold mining started in the 8-9th centuries, but significant production did not begin until 1328, and it flourished in the 14-15th centuries. About 20 ore deposits are known from the area, with a length of 6.5 km and a maximum thickness of 80 m. Roughly 90-100 different minerals have been described from this area. King Charles Robert founded a mint in the town, where the famous golden forint from 1335, also known as the Kremnica ducat, was minted.
In the picture: Native gold, Kremnica (Slovakia). Image width: 1 cm. Collection of the University of Miskolc. Photo by László Tóth.