A plumber in Vienna discovered 30 kilograms (66 pounds) of gold coins valued at approximately $2.4 million while working on a basement renovation in the city's Penzing district. The find occurred after he pulled a rope protruding from a concrete floor, leading to the discovery of a rusted metal chest containing the coins. The discovery was confirmed by local authorities following the report of the find.

Austrian law, specifically Section 398 of the Civil Code, mandates that treasure found on private property is divided equally between the finder and the landowner. Because the plumber actively investigated and unearthed the chest, he qualifies for a 50% share, amounting to roughly $1.2 million. The property owner is entitled to the remaining half.

The gold coins, some bearing the image of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, are believed to have been minted and hidden in the 1930s or early 1940s, a period of political and economic instability in Europe. Authorities and historians suggest the hoard may have been concealed to protect wealth ahead of World War II. The collection remains intact and is undergoing expert assessment.

A separate contractor had noticed the rope the previous day but dismissed it as debris, missing the opportunity to make the discovery. The plumber's decision to investigate the anomaly led directly to the find. The court in Vienna has been notified, and officials will oversee the formal valuation and legal distribution process.