Amateur Archaeologist Uncovers Largest Roman Coin Hoard in Germany

An amateur archaeologist made a significant discovery in western Germany. Oliver Riedl, while using his metal detector, found several Roman silver coins that led to an even larger discovery. After contacting authorities, experts excavated a total of 934 Roman silver denarii, marking the largest coin find in Germany from the era of Roman Emperor Hadrian.

Riedl shared that he was certain there was more beneath the surface when his metal detector continued to respond after finding a few coins near Wesseling, south of Cologne, a year prior. The coins, weighing 3.1 kilograms (6.8 pounds), are displayed at the LVR-LandesMuseum Bonn.

Most coins date back to the Flavian emperors (A.D. 69–96), with the oldest minted in 148 B.C. The LVR State Museum in Bonn hosts these coins, providing a glimpse into the Roman era.

The LVR Office for the Preservation of Archaeological Monuments in the Rhineland speculated that the coins were likely buried intentionally in the second century A.D. Erich Classen, a state archaeologist, suggested that the treasure might have been concealed for safekeeping due to the absence of banks at the time. The reason for the treasure never being retrieved is uncertain.

‘Perhaps the owner died, unable to share information about the coins,’ Classen speculated.

Treasures from Roman times are not uncommon, yet few are as extensive as the Wesseling find. The value of the coins remains ambiguous, though the pay for Roman soldiers offers insight. Rahel Otte, a research associate, explained that legionaries earned 300 denarii yearly, with much spent on necessities. Accumulating a cache like Wesseling’s would require saving disposably-earned income over six years.

From 39 B.C. to A.D. 459, Rome controlled the Cologne area under General Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa, transforming a military outpost into Colonia Agrippina, now modern-day Cologne.

Discoveries from the Roman era continue across Europe. In February, metal detectorists in Wales unearthed two lead ingots from Roman times—the first found in that region. In 2024, a hoard of Roman coins worth over $125,000 emerged during construction in central England. Metal detectorists in Poland also helped locate a large cache of Roman coins, while a collection was found on a Mediterranean island in the same year.