Experts Discover Approximately 30,000 – 50,000 Copper Coins Minted Nearly 1,700 Years Ago Beneath the Mediterranean Sea.
The treasure consists of tens of thousands of ancient coins at the bottom of the Mediterranean Sea. (Video: Italian Ministry of Culture)
On November 4, the Italian Ministry of Culture announced the discovery of tens of thousands of copper coins dating back to the first half of the 4th century, found in seagrass near the coast of the island of Sardinia, close to the town of Arzachena. The Ministry did not disclose the details of the discovery process but mentioned that a diver spotted a metal mass, leading to a comprehensive archaeological investigation. The site’s shape and position suggest the possibility of a nearby shipwreck.
The newly discovered coins belong to the type known as follis (a type of currency from Rome and the Eastern Roman Empire), with an estimated quantity between 30,000 and 50,000, surpassing the notable discovery in 2013 at Seaton, England, which had 22,888 coins. These coins were found alongside numerous amphorae originating from Africa and the East.
Most of the coins are in good condition, with only four damaged but still legible. The coins were minted between 324 and just before 346 AD, originating from nearly all the mints of the Roman Empire active during that period.
Most of the coins are in good condition.
The preservation and analysis of this currency promise to provide deeper insights into their historical context. “The treasure in the waters of Arzachena represents one of the most significant discoveries of minted money in recent years,” said Luigi La Rocca, head of the Archaeology, Fine Arts, and Landscape (ABAP) unit of the Italian Ministry of Culture, regarding the importance of the new find.
La Rocca also emphasized the abundance of archaeological heritage beneath the sea, where humans have frequently traversed and goods have been transported since ancient times. He highlighted the fragility of this heritage against the impacts of nature and humanity, as well as the efforts of the Italian Ministry of Culture to protect this heritage using advanced restoration and preservation techniques. Currently, experts continue to study the ancient treasure near the town of Arzachena to gain further understanding of ancient maritime trade and the vast influence of the Roman Empire.
