Roman coin hoard discovered near Wesseling

A metal detectorist, Oliver Riedl, has discovered a massive Roman-era coin hoard in a field near Wesseling, south of Cologne. The find consists of 934 silver denarii weighing more than three kilograms.

The LVR-Amt für Bodendenkmalpflege im Rheinland has described the discovery as “sensational.” It is reportedly the largest coin hoard from the era of Emperor Hadrian ever found in Germany and the fifth largest in the world from that specific time period.

Archaeologists believe the coins were intentionally buried during the second quarter of the 2nd century AD. While most coins date to that era, the oldest coin in the collection dates back to 148 BC, making it over 270 years old at the time it was buried. The hoard is currently being displayed at the LVR-Landesmuseum in Bonn.