Discovery Site | The Von Clermont Coin - Vaals

Right in the heart of Vaals, there’s a special historical site: the place where the so-called “Von Clermont Coin” was found. It’s not just a story about a centuries-old treasure – it also reveals the industrial and cultural development of Vaals during the 18th century.

During excavations at today’s Von Clermont Square, coins were unearthed that date all the way back to the time of William of Orange. It’s believed a local coppersmith buried them to keep them safe from roaming troops. The treasure lay hidden underground for centuries until archaeological research finally brought it to light.

The spot is close to the Von Clermont House – now the Vaals town hall. The building is named after Johann Arnold von Clermont (1728–1795), a powerful textile manufacturer from Aachen. Because of his Lutheran faith and the restrictions placed on him by Aachen’s guilds, Von Clermont moved his factory across the border to Vaals. There, he not only built a thriving business but also a grand house.

A key part of his production process was the use of water from the Gau stream, which keeps a steady temperature of around 10°C. That water was perfect for rinsing and dyeing fabrics. Von Clermont had an advanced system of underground channels built beneath his factory – now the town hall. Remains of that water system have also been found during archaeological digs.

Von Clermont played a big role in Vaals’ growth as an industrial town. And the water system he created was quite the invention for its time. So this spot isn’t just a local gem – it’s of regional historical value too.