Risking their lives. Archaeologists in Luxembourg found 141 gold coins of nine Roman emperors
Archaeologists have discovered a Roman treasure dating back to the second half of the fourth century AD. During secret excavations in Luxembourg, 141 gold coins of nine Roman emperors were found.
The Mine Action Service of the Luxembourg Army (SEDAL) helped the researchers because of the dangerous conditions they faced. It turns out that numerous explosives and ammunition from the Second World War were found buried around the excavation site, Arkeonews reports.
The found coins depict nine rulers of Rome.
Source: National Institute of Archaeological Research (INRA).
According to the researchers, the excavations were carried out under the supervision of the National Institute of Archaeological Research (INRA) from 2020 to 2024, and the discovery was kept secret for almost four years.
Because the Mine Action Service of the Luxembourg Army, which helped with the excavations due to explosives that were nearby, asked for non-disclosure, experts are now revealing the details of the secret mission.
Only now have the services agreed on a decision to disseminate information about the treasure found. According to scientists, the gold coins were minted during the reign of nine emperors who ruled between 364 and 408 AD.
Interestingly, the coins depict eight emperors. However, researchers have noticed among the monarchs the illegal ruler of the Western Roman Empire, Eugenius, who ruled for only two years (392-394).
One of the most valuable gold coins ever found depicting the illegal ruler of the Western Roman Empire, Eugenius.
Source: National Institute of Archaeological Research (INRA)
According to historians, Eugenius' reign was marked by political instability and conflict, particularly with the Eastern Roman Emperor Theodosius I. Ultimately, Eugene was defeated by Theodosius at the Battle of Phrygium in 394 AD, which led to his execution.
Researchers emphasize that coins depicting Eugene are extremely rare. Therefore, this find is called unique.
"This is a major archaeological discovery, as it is extremely rare to study an entire ancient monetary deposit in its archaeological context," wrote the researchers from the National Institute of Archaeological Research in Luxembourg.
The gold coins are in excellent condition, and since they contain very rare specimens, INRA experts estimated the value of the coins at 308,600 euros, which is approximately $322,000.
In addition to the coins, the excavations revealed the remains of a late Roman small fortified observation tower, which is usually found on the German borders of the empire in the IV century, as well as several graves surrounding it, researchers say.
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