While exploring the waters off the coast of Arzachena, in the northeast of the island of Sardiniaa diver came across something that left him astonished: an underwater treasure containing thousands of coins from the 4th century.
This remarkable discovery, announced by the Italian Ministry of Culture on Saturday (4), sheds light on an impressive chapter of ancient history, the details of which we unpack below.
An ancient treasure
To the coins, in an exceptional state of conservation, were found at shallow depth and caught the attention of experts. Early estimates, based on the weight of the treasure, suggest that between 30,000 and 50,000 bronze coins rest in the depths of the sea.
Luigi La Rocca, director of Sardinia’s archeology department, described the discovery as one of the most important numismatic discoveries (related to historic coins and banknotes) in recent years.
Image: Sardinia/Reproduction
A detailed analysis of the inscriptions on the coins revealed that they were minted in the period between 324 and 340 AD. Experts point out that the set covers the production of coins from almost all mints active in the Roman Empire during that period, with the exception of Antioch, Alexandria and Carthage.
This epic discovery not only gives us a rare glimpse into the history of Roman Empirebut it also raises intriguing questions about how this valuable and seemingly untouched treasure ended up at the bottom of the sea.
One can imagine stories of shipwrecks, secret hiding places and mysterious events surrounding this incredible collection of coins.
As experts conduct deeper analyzes and study the historical context behind this discovery, the enigmas surrounding this treasure from the Roman Empire continue to captivate everyone’s imagination.
The incredible preservation of the coins and their historical importance make this discovery a treasure not only for archaeologists, but for everyone who appreciates the richness of the coins. ancient history.
