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Discovery of Rare Roman Coins in Luxembourg
An exciting archaeological find occurred in Luxembourg when amateur enthusiasts stumbled upon a gold coin in a field, prompting a comprehensive excavation that ultimately unearthed 141 Roman-era gold coins dating back to the late fourth century A.D.
These coins, known as solidi, feature the likenesses of nine different emperors, showcasing a remarkable span of power during their reigns.
Among the collection, the coins from Emperor Eugenius stand out as the most exceptional, given his brief reign of only two years.
While the metaphor “navigating a minefield” generally refers to overcoming difficult situations, archaeologists in Luxembourg faced real danger as they excavated the site of a Roman fortified watchtower, contending with World War II-era explosives.
With the excavation concluded after four years, researchers are now set to thoroughly investigate a hoard of gold coins minted between 364 A.D. and 408 A.D., each depicting the images of nine emperors who ruled during this turbulent period.
A representative from Luxembourg’s National Institute for Archaeological Research emphasized the significance of the discovery, noting that examining a complete ancient monetary deposit in its original context is an unusual opportunity. This investigation aims to unearth the historical reasons behind the burial of these coins.
The discovery began when local amateur archaeologists found a solitary gold coin near Holzthum village. Subsequent expert investigations revealed the remnants of a burgus, a Roman military watchtower, indicating the likely presence of other historical artifacts in the area.
Over the following years, the excavation team, cooperating with the Luxembourg Army’s Bomb Disposal Service due to the hazardous munitions from World War II, successfully recovered the hoard of solidi, which has an estimated value of $322,000. The rarest coins are particularly notable for featuring the image of Emperor Eugenius, who ruled briefly from 392 to 394 A.D.
Eugenius’s rise to power was controversial, as he was appointed amid the suspicious circumstances surrounding the execution of his predecessor, Emperor Valentinian II. Although Eugenius gained some backing, his reign faced challenges from Theodosius I, the Eastern Roman Emperor, which ultimately led to his downfall and the cessation of coins bearing his likeness.
The coins from Eugenius, therefore, are not only rare but also serve as a reflection of the tumultuous period of Roman history during which they were minted.
The solidi began to circulate as the standard currency during the early fourth century A.D. and remained prevalent until the tenth century. The term “solidus” originated from Latin, meaning “solid,” and the coins were typically made of 4.5 grams of gold.
The discovery of these 1,700-year-old coins provides valuable insights into the monetary practices and political dynamics of the Roman Empire. With the fieldwork successfully completed, researchers will now analyze the coins in detail at a laboratory, with plans to publish findings in a future academic journal.
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