Remarkable Roman Coin Hoard Discovered in Germany's Westerwald Mountains!
An extraordinary find of nearly 3,000 Roman-era coins has been uncovered near Herschbach in Germany’s Westerwald Mountains, a region far beyond the boundaries of the Roman Empire. This rare treasure trove, found in an area considered "no man's land" during the third century CE, has left archaeologists puzzled, sparking fascinating questions about how such a large cache of Roman currency ended up in a region with no known Roman or Germanic settlements.
Photo Credit: GDKE RLP, Landesarchäologie Koblenz
The Discovery
A licensed metal detectorist made the remarkable discovery, promptly reporting it to state archaeologists in Koblenz, located on the Rhine River. Excavations carried out by Rhineland-Palatinate’s State Archaeology office revealed around 2,940 coins, alongside more than 200 silver fragments decorated with intricate geometric designs. The items were concealed in a ceramic pot, now broken, and hidden between two rocks. Though the find occurred in February, it was kept under wraps while experts meticulously studied the artefacts.
According to Timo Lang, head of the Koblenz branch of the State Archaeology office, the coins mainly consist of Antoniniani, Roman silver coins primarily made of bronze with a thin silver coating. Due to the degraded condition of the hoard, only 100 coins have been fully identified so far. These feature the portraits of Roman and Gallic emperors, including Gordian III, who ruled from 238 to 244 CE, and Victorinus, who reigned over the Gallic Empire between 269 and 271 CE.
A Hoard of Historical Significance
The coins, dating between 241 and 271 CE, are believed to have been buried in the early 270s. What makes this discovery particularly intriguing is the location, situated 18 kilometres beyond the Upper Germanic Limes, the frontier marking the Roman Empire’s border with Germanic tribes. The sheer size of the hoard in such a distant location is exceedingly rare. As Lang explained in an interview with Live Science, "Usually coin hoards outside the Roman Empire consist of a few dozen or perhaps a few hundred coins.” This hoard, however, is one of the largest ever found outside the empire, second only to a similar find in Poland.
Most of the coins were minted in Cologne, which was part of the Gallic Empire—a breakaway state that lasted from 260 to 274 CE during a period of political instability. The Gallic Empire included parts of modern-day France, Belgium, Spain, Germany, and Italy. However, the site where the hoard was discovered was not part of the Gallic Empire, making the find even more mysterious.
Photo Credit: GDKE RLP, Landesarchäologie Koblenz
Unanswered Questions
Archaeologists are still investigating how this treasure ended up in such an isolated area. One leading theory suggests that the Gallic Empire may have attempted to bribe Germanic leaders, either to prevent attacks or to encourage them to raid the Roman Empire. Another possibility is that the coins were the spoils of a raid on Roman territory. The discovery of a nearby ancient trade route adds further complexity to the story, although the exact reasons for the hoard’s burial remain uncertain.
In addition to the coins, the silver fragments are also being studied. Although their original purpose is unclear, Lang’s team plans to use CT scanning to digitally reconstruct their shape, which could provide further insights into their use.
Scientific Importance
This discovery marks the largest Roman coin hoard ever found north of the Limes. While the coins themselves may not hold great material value due to their poor condition, the find is of immense scientific significance. It offers a rare glimpse into the relationships and interactions between the Roman Empire and the Germanic tribes, as well as the economic and political dynamics of the third century CE.
As archaeologists continue to analyse the hoard, the mystery of its origins—and the reasons behind its burial in such a remote region—remains one of the most exciting aspects of this remarkable discovery.