Smithsonian Magazine · People & society

Massive Roman Coin Hoard Discovered in Germany

An amateur archaeologist in Germany has found one of the largest hoards of Roman silver coins ever discovered in the country, dating back nearly 300 years.

The nearly seven-pound cache consists of 934 silver denarii, likely buried during Emperor Hadrian's reign (117-138 C.E.). The coins range from 148 B.C.E. to 124/125 C.E.

Oliver Riedl discovered the hoard near Wesseling using a metal detector. After finding 15 coins, he alerted authorities, who then excavated the site and recovered the entire block of earth for further study.

Experts found pieces of a ceramic container and straw, suggesting the coins were originally in a pot. Agricultural activity likely destroyed the vessel and scattered the coins.

The hoard is now on display at the LVR-LandesMuseum Bonn. It is considered the largest coin hoard from Hadrian's rule found in Germany and the fifth largest globally from that period.

The area was under Roman control from 39 B.C.E. to 459 C.E. The value of the hoard would have been substantial, equivalent to about six years of a Roman soldier's disposable income.

The exact reason for burying the savings is unknown, but researchers speculate the owner may have died before retrieving them, as banks did not exist at the time.

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