German Field Discovery Reveals 934 Roman Coins

A licensed metal detectorist found 934 ancient Roman silver coins in a field near Wesseling, south of Cologne. The discovery was made by Oliver Riedl, who immediately reported the find to archaeological authorities.

The hoard, weighing 6.8 pounds, was buried intentionally between 125 and 150 A.D., according to the LVR Office for the Preservation of Archaeological Monuments in the Rhineland. Officials recently announced the find, calling it the largest coin hoard from the reign of Roman Emperor Hadrian ever found in Germany.

The coins were discovered near the Rhine frontier, which was a border of the Roman Empire at the time. Nearby were the Roman city of Cologne and a legionary fortress in Bonn, suggesting a possible military connection. However, the identity of the hoard's owner remains unknown.

Johannes Wienand, a professor of ancient history at the Technical University of Braunschweig, noted the hoard's unusual size. He described it as a 'huge treasure' and estimated its value as equivalent to three years of a Roman soldier's gross salary.

Wienand suggested the hoard may have been the life savings of one person who buried it in a pot for safekeeping. He emphasized the importance of responsible metal detecting and reporting finds, as Riedl did, contributing to the orderly exploration of the discovery.

The coins are now on display at the LVR-LandesMuseum Bonn, highlighting their significance as part of Germany's cultural heritage.