The recent discovery of two ancient Spanish coins near Halls Crossing excited archaeologists at Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, who wondered whether they offered evidence that Spanish explorers, possibly in search of mythical cities of gold, passed through Utah centuries ago.
While the coins were determined to be authentic, National Park Service officials have now concluded that they were not left behind by Spaniards in colonial times. Circumstantial evidence, such as the 400-year difference in the two coins’ ages, indicates they most likely came from a modern collection, but that conclusion raises other questions.
Why would someone just throw away or lose valuable coins, dating back to the 13th and 17th centuries, in Utah canyon country?