Metal detectorist finds record-breaking trove of ancient Roman coins
A man who discovered Roman silver coins in a field realized he had stumbled upon something bigger when his metal detector kept signaling.
Amateur archaeologist Oliver Riedl made a startling discovery in a field in western Germany - a treasure trove of ancient Roman coins. At first, his metal detector's continuous beeping led him to believe he had found just a few Roman silver denarii. However, upon the arrival of experts, it became clear that the find was far more substantial.
The hoard comprised a staggering 934 Roman silver denarii, making it the largest coin treasure ever discovered in Germany dating back to the reign of Roman Emperor Hadrian. Riedl, who made the initial discovery a year ago in Wesseling, south of Cologne, noted that he had a strong feeling that there was something significant buried in the area.
The treasure, weighing in at 3.1 kilograms (6.8 pounds), was exhibited at the LVR-LandesMuseum Bonn. Most of the coins were minted during the Flavian emperors' rule (A.D. 69–96), while the oldest one dated back to 148 B.C. The museum speculated that the coins were likely buried deliberately in the second quarter of the second century A.D., suggesting the owner may have wanted to safeguard their wealth.
State archaeologist Erich Classen suggested that the treasure may have remained hidden due to the untimely death of the owner, who likely did not have the means to pass on the knowledge of its location. The value of the coins during that era can be estimated using the pay of Roman legionaries, who earned 300 denarii per year, but only after accounting for expenses such as food and equipment. Consequently, the hoard would have taken a legionary about six years to accumulate.
The region's historical significance is underscored by its inclusion within the Roman Empire's borders from 39 B.C. to A.D. 459. Roman control in the area was established under General Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa to safeguard the empire's border along the Rhine River. Numerous Roman treasures have since been unearthed across Europe, including two lead ingots found in Wales in February and a hoard worth over $125,000 discovered in central England in 2024.
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