Luxembourg officials recently announced that an “extremely rare” cache of gold coins from fourth century AD it was recently discovered, ending a four-year excavation project.
In a statement issued by the National Institute for Archaeological Research (INRA) in Luxembourg, officials said a total of 141 coins were found. The excavations were “carried out with the utmost care and took several years,” the statement said, due to World War II mines in the area.
“These operations also had to take into account the specific dangers of the region, due to the presence of numerous ammunition and explosive devices from the Second World War,” INRA said in a statement. “For this reason, the archaeologists collaborated with the Luxembourg Army Demining Service (SEDAL).”
The coins include depictions of the nine Roman emperors who ruled between 364 and 408 AD. Among the hoard is Eugenius, the infamous ruler who is considered illegitimate by the Eastern Roman Empire, also known as the Byzantine Empire.
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Ancient Roman coins, including one of the illegitimate ruler Eugenius, inserted, were recently found in Luxembourg. (iStock | INRA)
Eugenius controlled the Western Roman Empire from 392 to 394, but was never considered a legitimate ruler by Byzantium. He was captured and executed in the battle of Frigidus in 394.
The coins found were “solidi,” meaning they were made of pure gold, and INRA noted that the Luxembourg government gave 308,600 euros to “beneficiaries” of the coin hoard, which equates to nearly $318,000.
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“This value was determined after an independent numismatic expertise took into account the excellent state of preservation solids and the presence of several rare copies, especially three editions of the usurper Eugenius who reigned for only two years (392-394),” INRA explained.
In all, hundreds of coins were found, officials said. (C. Nosbusch/INRA)
Archaeologists are still puzzled as to why such a valuable hoard was buried, and experts are currently investigating the reason why the cache was left behind.
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“This is a major archaeological discovery, as it is extremely rare that an ancient cash deposit can be studied in its entirety in its archaeological context,” the statement said. “His interrogation will make it possible [us to understand] motivations that led to his burial.”
The latest discovery is one of many discoveries of ancient treasures in Europe in recent months. Last week, English officials announced that they had discovered a 1000 year old hoard of coins in Suffolk, England, at the site of a planned nuclear power plant.
Sketches of coins minted during the reign of Flavius Eugenius (Photo12/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
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Last fall, archaeologists from Norway discovered Viking graves filled with coins, jewelry and other treasures.
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