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Rare Silver Coin Hoard Unearthed in Sicily

An exciting archaeological discovery was made on Pantelleria, a remote island in the Mediterranean, where 27 rare silver coins were recently uncovered, as announced by Sicilian officials.

These coins are identified as denarii, a form of silver currency that originated in ancient Rome around 211 B.C.E. and remained in circulation for centuries. The newly found coins are believed to have been minted between 94 B.C.E. and 74 B.C.E.

According to a report by CBS News, the discovery occurred while archaeologists were engaged in restoration work at the Acropolis of Santa Teresa and San Marco, within the vast Archaeological Park of Selinunte, Cave di Cusa, and Pantelleria. This park is notable for its extensive remains of an ancient Greek settlement, which adds to the historical significance of the site.

The initial signs of the coins were found in soil disturbed by recent rain. Further exploration beneath a nearby boulder revealed the complete set. Following their excavation, the coins were carefully cleaned and restored for study.

The excavation team was led by Thomas Schäfer, a seasoned archaeologist from Germany’s University of Tübingen, who has dedicated over twenty years to researching this area. He noted that the site had remained undisturbed for centuries, resulting in the preservation of numerous artifacts and structures.

This is not the first significant find on Pantelleria; in 2010, a collection of 107 silver denarii was discovered nearby. Earlier, three marble busts depicting Caesar, Agrippina, and Titus were also located on the island.

The recently uncovered coins date back to the Roman Republic, a pivotal era in Roman history that lasted from approximately 509 B.C.E. until 27 B.C.E. This period saw Rome governed by elected officials, marking a shift from monarchical rule to a system of governance driven by senators and civic agents. The transition to the Roman Empire occurred in 27 B.C.E.

Francesco Paolo Scarpinato, a regional councilor for cultural heritage, emphasized the importance of this find, stating, “This discovery provides invaluable insights into the trade relations and political dynamics of the Mediterranean during the Republican era,” as reported by Reuters.

While silver denarii are relatively rare, global discoveries of such coins have occurred frequently in recent years. Notably, in 2021, archaeologists in Augsburg, Germany, uncovered over 5,500 Roman denarii, and a similar cache of 651 coins was discovered in Aizanoi, Turkey, with a significant portion being denarii.

Interestingly, not all discoveries are the result of professional excavation. In a notable case last year, an 8-year-old boy in Bremen, Germany, stumbled upon a denarius from 1,800 years ago while playing in a school sandbox.

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www.smithsonianmag.com