Reportedly, the collection is one of the biggest found in Switzerland to date. These ancient coins, buried around 1,700 years ago, have a combined weight of 33 pounds (15 kg). Simply scroll down to view the video.
In a stroke of luck, a Swiss farmer stumbled upon an incredible treasure trove of over 4,000 ancient Roman coins, both bronze and silver, dating back 1,700 years. The discovery was made in the farmer’s cherry orchard in Ueken, where he noticed a molehill with glittering green coins. Following the earlier finding of Roman remains in a nearby town, the farmer suspected there might be more treasures hidden in his land. After contacting the local archaeological service, it was confirmed that his intuition was right. Months of careful excavation revealed a total of 4,166 coins in pristine condition, showcasing a piece of ancient history.
The discovery of a massive hoard in Switzerland has been hailed as one of the largest ever unearthed in the country. Found buried in a field, the coins were initially hidden beneath soil until some of them glistened in the sunlight. A farmer stumbled upon the remarkable find in July when he noticed some glimmering green coins on his property in Ueken. The imprints on the coins are still readable, allowing experts to determine that they date back to the reign of Emperor Aurelian (170-275 AD) and Emperor Maximilian (286-305 AD). This significant discovery sheds light on Switzerland’s historical past and showcases the presence of early Roman settlements in the region.
Experts have confirmed that the coins found, with legible imprints dating back to Emperor Aurelian’s reign, are from the year 294. The archaeologist, Georg Matter, explained that the coins were found in an orchard that had never been developed, leading to their undisturbed preservation. The well-preserved condition of the coins suggests that they were intentionally buried shortly after being minted and never retrieved. Interestingly, some of the coins were buried in small leather pouches and are noted for their high silver content of five percent.
According to the specialists, it was deemed difficult to ascertain the precise value of the coins because of rampant inflation during that period. However, they agreed that the money was certainly worth at least a year or two of wages.
Matter declined to estimate the current value of the coins and mentioned that the farmer will not be permitted to retain the treasure. “He will probably receive a finder’s fee,” he said, “but under Swiss law, the items discovered belong to the public.” The collection of coins will be showcased at the Vindonissa de Brugg Museum in Aargau.
The pristine condition of the coins in the photo suggests that their owner carefully preserved them right after they were minted. Interestingly, the owner chose to bury them around the year 294 and never went back to retrieve them.
Experts mentioned that it was challenging to ascertain the initial worth of the coins because of rapid inflation during that period, but it was evident that they must have been valued at least a year or two of wages. The process of cleaning the coins is demonstrated.
