Discovered 'terrible treasure', up to 5,500 ancient coins buried in the river

Thousands of silver coins were hidden about 1,800 years ago for unknown reasons, during the flourishing Roman Empire.

Archaeologists discovered more than 5,500 silver coins buried in the river about 1,800 years ago in Augsburg, Germany, Live Science reported on November 17. At that time, the Roman Empire was at its peak of development, Roman coins reached every corner of the territory, even further.

About 5,500 Roman silver coins were discovered in Augsburg. (Photo: Andreas Brücklmair).

The coins are the denarii, the standard silver coin used from the 1st to the 3rd centuries, according to Stefan Krmnicek, professor of ancient coinage at the University of Tubingen. Experts found them earlier this year.

The coins are scattered in a newly formed hole in the old river bed but this may not be their original location. "The hiding place may have been destroyed a few centuries later by the flood of the Wertach River, which scattered the coins and mixed with the gravel in the river," Krmnicek said.

"We've only just begun to clean and study the coins, but as of now, it looks like the newest coins in it were minted in the early 3rd century, so it's possible they were buried around this time. hypothesized that they were buried in the early 3rd century outside the Roman city of Augusta Vindelicum, near the Via Claudia Augusta," Krmnicek said. At that time, Augusta Vindelicum was the capital of the Roman province of Raetia.

The reason for hiding these coins is still a mystery. "We don't know why the coins were buried," Krmnicek said. He also said that Leo Brey, a PhD student at the University of Tubingen, is trying to solve this mystery. Aside from the coins, the scientists found no other artifacts around.