Youths Who Discovered Ancient Silver Coins in Mrauk-U Honored with Certificates and Rewards by the Arakkha Government

News February 8, 2026

The award ceremony and four youths (photocrd)

In Mrauk-U, the ancient cultural capital of Arakan State, four youths who discovered ancient treasure items along with 132 silver coins were honored today, February 8, by the Arakan People's Revolutionary Government in a formal ceremony with certificates of appreciation and cash rewards, according to reports.

The award ceremony, which included the presentation of certificates and rewards, took place at a location within the Arakan region. The four youths, who responsibly handed over the discovered items to the Arakan People's Revolutionary Government, each received a certificate of honor and a cash reward of 750,000 kyats (seven hundred and fifty thousand kyats) from the Arakan National Heritage Commission under the Arakan People's Revolutionary Government.

The youths who initially discovered the silver coins and ancient treasure items are:

• Maung Soe Aung Min, son of U Naing Win Tun (father) and Daw Soe Soe (mother), from Myo Thit Ward, Mrauk-U town;

• Maung Thukha Aung, son of U Nyi Bu (father) and Daw Nu Nu Yain (mother), from Myo Thit Ward, Mrauk-U town;

• Maung Phyo Myat Oo, son of U Maung Kyaw Thein, from Aung Thit Ward, Mrauk-U town;

• Maung Kyaw Soe Lin, son of U Khaing Kyaw Lin, from Aung Thit Ward, Mrauk-U town.

On January 24, around 1:30 PM, while the four youths were playing football at the football field in Myo Thit Ward, one of them accidentally slipped and fell. In the process, they discovered some ancient silver coins and treasure items. They informed their parents, who came to inspect and confirmed they were ancient silver coins. That same evening at 6:30 PM, the items were handed over to the Mrauk-U Township Administration Department.

The silver coins include:

• 13 coins from Rakhine Era 1000 (during the reign of Narapatigyi, also known as Lord of the White Elephant);

• 10 coins from the era of Lord of the White Elephant and Lord of the Red Elephant under Narapatigyi;

• 41 coins from Rakhine Era 1014 (during the reign of Chandrasuddhammaraza, Lord of the Golden Throne);

• 66 coins from Rakhine Era 1007 (during the reign of Lord of the Red Elephant, Lord of the White Elephant, and Thado Min Htut);

• 1 coin from Rakhine Era 1047 (during the reign of Lord of the Golden Throne, Waradhammaraza);

• 1 coin that is completely damaged and unreadable.

By not keeping the ancient heritage items for personal gain and instead systematically handing them over to the relevant authorities, the four youths demonstrated responsibility, honesty, and a spirit of preserving cultural heritage. An official from the Arakan People's Revolutionary Government praised this attitude during the ceremony and stated that the rewards were given in recognition of their integrity and commitment to safeguarding cultural legacy.

The Arakan People's Revolutionary Government has urged local residents and the public that if they discover similar ancient cultural heritage items, they should not use them for personal benefit but report them to the relevant organizations.

source@onenationnews