A remarkable discovery has unfolded off the coast of Sardinia, where an Italian diver stumbled upon a vast cache of ancient Roman coins. The diver’s keen eye and subsequent alert to the authorities led to the excavation of thousands of bronze coins dating back to the first half of the fourth century.
The exact number of coins is still being determined, but estimates suggest a staggering hoard of at least 30,000, possibly reaching 50,000. This extraordinary find occurred near the town of Arzachena, nestled on the Mediterranean island’s northeastern shore.
The coins, known as follis, were introduced around 294 AD during the monetary reforms of the Roman emperor Diocletian. Remarkably, these coins have survived centuries beneath the sea, preserving their inscriptions and offering a glimpse into the past.
Luigi La Rocca, an official from Sardinia’s archaeology department, hailed the discovery as one of the most significant coin finds in recent times. He emphasised the importance of the archaeological heritage preserved beneath the seabed, which continues to yield valuable insights into the region’s rich history.
The abundance of coins scattered in a sandy area between the underwater seagrass and the beach suggests the presence of nearby shipwrecks. This theory is further supported by a similar discovery in Devon, England, in 2013. Laurence Egerton, a keen metal detectorist, unearthed a remarkable treasure of 22,888 follis coins just a few hundred meters from the site of a Roman villa and a military fortification dating back to the second to third centuries.
These discoveries serve as a testament to the enduring legacy of the Roman Empire and the wealth of historical treasures hidden beneath the waves. The ongoing excavation of the Sardinian coin hoard will provide further insights into the economic and social dynamics of the Roman world.
