In a remarkable discovery reminiscent of tales from antiquity, a Swiss fruit-and-vegetable farmer stumbled upon a treasure trove of more than 4,000 rare coins dating back to Ancient Rome. The coins, composed of both bronze and silver, were found nestled beneath a cherry tree in the farmer’s orchard, where they had lain undisturbed for an astonishing 1,700 years.
While the experts said it is was impossible to determine the coins’ original value due to rampant inflation at the time, they said the money clearly must have been worth at least a year or two of wages.
The discovery, made by the farmer in July, was initially prompted by the sighting of shimmering green coins peeking out from a molehill on his land in Ueken, Switzerland. This chance encounter led to a series of discreet excavations, eventually revealing a cache of coins totaling 33 pounds (15 kilograms) in weight.
The hoard has been described as one of the biggest finds of this kind ever to be unearthed in Switzerland.
Archaeological investigations have determined that the coins date back to the reigns of Emperor Aurelian (170-275 AD) and Emperor Maximillian (286-305 AD), with the most recent specimens dating to the year 294 AD. The excellent condition of the coins suggests that their owner meticulously preserved them shortly after their minting, only to bury them sometime after the year 294 AD, never to retrieve them.
A treasure trove of more than 4,000 bronze and silver ancient Roman coins (pictured) dating back 1,700 years was uncovered by a Swiss fruit-and-vegetable farmer in his cherry orchard
The hoard has been described as one of the biggest finds of its kind ever to be unearthed in Switzerland. It was found covered in soil in the field, but some of the coins were spotted shining through (pictured)
According to archaeologist Georg Matter, who spoke with AFP, the orchard where the coins were discovered had never been developed upon; it has remained farmland throughout the centuries. This circumstance likely contributed to the coins’ preservation and their elusiveness until now.
The coins imprints remain legible, which has allowed experts to confirm they date back to the reign of Emperor Aurelian (illustrated)
Despite the experts’ inability to ascertain the original value of the coins due to rampant inflation during their era, it is surmised that the treasure would have represented a substantial sum, likely equating to a year or two of wages for the average individual at the time.
While the farmer who unearthed the treasure may receive a finder’s fee for his remarkable discovery, Swiss law dictates that the coins belong to the public, and they will ultimately be housed and displayed at the Vindonissa de Brugg Museum in Aargau.
The coins’ excellent condition (pictured) indicates that their owner systematically stashed them away shortly after they were made. For some reason, the owner had buried them shortly after 294 and never retrieved them
The experts said it is was impossible to determine the coins’ original value due to rampant inflation at the time, but that money clearly must have been worth at least a year or two of wages. The cleaning process is shown
The significance of this find extends beyond its monetary value. It offers a tantalizing glimpse into the lives of those who inhabited the region nearly two millennia ago, shedding light on commerce, economics, and daily life in Ancient Rome. As the coins find their way into the public eye, they will undoubtedly spark curiosity and fascination among historians, archaeologists, and the general public alike, serving as tangible connections to a distant yet enduring past.