Amateur Unearths 934 Roman Silver Coins in Germany

An amateur archaeologist discovered 934 Roman silver coins in a field near Wesseling, south of Cologne, Germany.

The hoard, weighing 3.1 kilograms, is the largest coin treasure found in Germany from the era of Roman Emperor Hadrian. Oliver Riedl's metal detector repeatedly signaled, leading him to alert authorities. Experts began excavating and found the collection, which has been dated to the second quarter of the second century A.D. The LVR Office for the Preservation of Archaeological Monuments in the Rhineland suggests the coins were likely buried for safekeeping.

State archaeologist Erich Classen noted the absence of banks in that period as a potential motive for burying wealth. The reason the treasure was never recovered remains unclear, with Classen speculating the owner may have died before retrieving it. The coins went on display at the LVR-LandesMuseum Bonn on Tuesday. While treasure troves from ancient eras are not uncommon, this extensive second-century hoard is.

To provide context for its value, an ordinary Roman soldier earned 300 denarii annually, with half withheld for expenses. Research associate Rahel Otte calculated that a legionary would need to save all disposable income for approximately six years to amass the Wesseling hoard.