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Metal detectorist unearths largest Hadrian-era Roman coin treasure in Germany

Archaeologists excavated 934 silver denarii in Wesseling, equivalent to years of disposable pay for a ancient legionary.

The short version

  • Amateur archaeologist Oliver Riedl discovered a hoard of 934 Roman silver denarii in a field near Wesseling, Germany.[CBS News · Deutsche Welle]
  • Archaeological authorities state the find is the largest coin treasure from the era of Emperor Hadrian ever found in Germany.[CBS News · Deutsche Welle]
  • The coins, weighing 3.1 kilograms, equaled roughly six years of disposable income for a Roman soldier of that era.[CBS News · Deutsche Welle]
  • The collection has gone on public display at the LVR-LandesMuseum Bonn, though its financial value and original owner remain unknown.[CBS News · Deutsche Welle]

Key facts

  • Amateur archaeologist Oliver Riedl found 934 Roman silver coins weighing 3.1 kilograms near Wesseling, Germany.[CBS News · Deutsche Welle]
  • Authorities identified the hoard as the largest Roman coin discovery in Germany dating to the era of Emperor Hadrian.[CBS News · Deutsche Welle]
  • Most coins date to the Flavian emperors (AD 69–96), with the oldest dating back to 148 BC.[CBS News]
  • Researchers estimate the collection equaled six years of disposable income for an ordinary Roman legionary at the time.[CBS News · Deutsche Welle]
  • The artifacts went on public display at the LVR-LandesMuseum Bonn.[CBS News · Deutsche Welle]

What remains uncertain

  • The identity of the person who buried the coins and the exact reasons for the burial remain unknown.[CBS News · Deutsche Welle]
  • The exact monetary value of the collection is difficult to estimate.[CBS News · Deutsche Welle]

Sources

Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.