Activated layered manganese oxides with deposited nano-sized gold or silver were synthesized and characterized by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction spectrometry, atomic absorption spectroscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray mapping. Here, we report that Au or Ag nanoparticles deposited on layered Mn oxides improve the catalytic activity of the Mn oxides toward the epoxidation of olefins in the presence of H₂O₂ and NaHCO₃.