Mystery of Sevso Silver Treasure II

Last week, we saw how the Sevso silver treasure came to be categorized as "illicit antiquities". Now, we enter deeper into the shady world of the black market for art objects. It's worthwhile to note that the truth about the Sevso treasure may only be known to a few people and most likely, they will be carrying the secret to their graves. One of these people was Jozsef Sumegh.

Jozsef Sumegh was a 22 year old laborer working at the Polgardi quarry, northeast of Lake Balaton, in western Hungary. Excavating limestones, Sumegh was somewhat surprised when his shovel struck metal. It was the huge copper cauldron which contained the silver vessels of the Sveso treasure. Though he didn't really know the real value of the items, he knew they were special. This was in 1974 when Hungary was still under Communist rule. If he surrendered the treasure to the state, he would only be given a small reward for his discovery. Thus, he concealed the treasure, waiting for an opportunity to sell the silver in the black market.

Soon, Sumegh stopped working in the Polgardi quarry and moved to a hostel in Budapest. Returning home once in a while, Sumegh was often seen in fashionable clothes which were considered lavish in those days, unquestionably beyond a man of his means. It was believed that he had sold at least three items from the Sevso treasure in the flea market located near the Budapest airport. Somehow, one item landed in the hands of Peter Wilson, the former chairman of Sotheby's. After consulting the British Museum, he advised Lord Northampton to purchase the Sevso treasure as it is known now.

In early 1979, Sumegh was required to fulfill his national service. Before he reported for duty, he buried the treasure in a wine cellar near the Polgardi quarry. One night in late 1980, near the term of his national service, Sumegh was contacted by two men in a bar in Polgardi. They were talking and drinking a great deal. Two days later, Jozsef Sumegh was found dead in the wine cellar. Supposedly, he had committed suicide by hanging himself. However, evidence suggested he was murdered. When he was found, his knees were on the ground, and there appeared to be a filled-in hole about three feet wide, beneath him. The treasure was gone.

Based on the case of Jozsef Sumegh and some other findings, Hungary is making a serious claim on the Sevso Silver Treasure. Lord Northampton is willing to sell his silver. Is Hungary willing to buy? If you wish to sell silver, you can find a good silver buyer here. Why hide your silver? Get instant cash for silver, instantly!