Rare Ancient Roman Treasure Unearthed by Metal Detectorists in Poland

In a remarkable discovery, metal detectorists in Poland have uncovered a significant cache of Rare Ancient Roman Treasure coins. This exciting find was announced by Polish officials, highlighting the group’s dedication to searching for historical artifacts.

The discovery was made by a group known as the “Group of Explorers,” led by Janusz Szabat and Piotr Magoch. They often explore different areas to find metal artifacts and treasures. On a recent search, they focused on the fields surrounding the small town of Księżopol in Poland.

A Treasure Trove in a Small Area

The search was conducted in a surprisingly small area—less than a fifth of a square mile. Despite the small size of the area, the explorers uncovered “a very large number of metal archaeological monuments,” as stated by the Lublin Voivodeship Conservator of Monuments. This emphasizes the significance of the find, which sheds light on the historical activities that took place in this region during the Roman era.

Rare Roman Denars Found

Among the remarkable items discovered were a small cache of ancient Roman denars, which are silver coins. The group found three silver denars imprinted with the face of the Roman Emperor Antonius Pius. These coins were minted sometime between 138 and 161 AD. One of the denars features the face of Faustyna the Younger, who was the wife of Antonius Pius, and it was minted in 141 AD.

Additionally, another coin with Antonius Pius’s face was found, minted between 146 and 152 AD. This particular coin had a part cut away, which likely occurred during a trade exchange. Another significant find was a silver denar featuring the face of Marcus Aurelius, minted in 174 AD.

Counterfeit Coins

In this treasure trove, there were also some counterfeit denars made by the Germanic Visigoths. One of these coins was unreadable, but another coin featured an image of Antonius Pius. The conservator noted that this counterfeit coin was “poorly readable,” yet it contained an inscription similar to the real coins.

A Unique Larger Denar

One of the most interesting coins found was a larger denar, which was twice the size of the typical coin. This coin is considered “fairly rare.” It bears the image of Empress Herennia Cupressenia Etruscilla and was minted between 249 and 251 AD. Interestingly, a quarter of this coin was also cut off, likely during a trade transaction, just like some of the other coins found.

Other Artifacts Discovered

Along with the coins, several other artifacts were discovered at the excavation site. The explorers found “several small silicon tools” and “dozens of pieces of pottery.” While the age of the tools could not be confirmed, the pottery fragments were predominantly from the Roman period. One fragment even dates back to the Early Middle Ages, indicating a long history of human activity in the area.

New Archaeological Findings

The large number of items discovered in such a small area has led officials to believe that they are dealing with a new and previously unknown archaeological position. This discovery is not only fascinating for the local community but also holds significant scientific and conservation value.

The conservator stated, “We are dealing with a new, previously unknown archaeological position that is of very valuable scientific and conservation points.” This suggests that further research and exploration in this area could lead to even more important discoveries related to the Roman era.

Future Plans for Excavation

In light of this exciting find, excavation tests will be performed in the area. The conservators plan to conduct more searches of the fields to uncover additional artifacts and further understand the historical context of this treasure trove. As this area appears to have a rich history, it is likely that more treasures from the past may soon come to light.

Conclusion

The discovery of Rare Ancient Roman Treasure coins in Poland is a significant archaeological find that highlights the importance of metal detectorists in uncovering history. The group of explorers, with their dedication and passion, has opened a new chapter in the study of Roman history in Poland. As excavations continue, we can only imagine what other treasures lie beneath the surface, waiting to be discovered.

Table

Sure! Here’s a table summarizing the details of the ancient Roman coins found by the metal detectorists in Poland:

Coin Type	Emperor/Empress	Minting Year(s)	Details	Condition
Silver Denar	Antonius Pius	138 – 161 AD	Features the face of Antonius Pius	Good condition
Silver Denar	Faustyna the Younger	141 AD	Features the face of Faustyna the Younger	Good condition
Silver Denar	Antonius Pius	146 – 152 AD	Part of the coin cut away, likely during trade	Partially damaged
Silver Denar	Marcus Aurelius	174 AD	Features the face of Marcus Aurelius	Good condition
Counterfeit Denar	Antonius Pius	Unknown	Poorly readable, imitation of the real coin	Poor condition
Larger Denar	Herennia Cupressenia Etruscilla	249 – 251 AD	Twice the size of a typical denar, quarter cut away	Partially damaged

Explanation of the Table Columns

• Coin Type: The category of the coin (e.g., Silver Denar).
• Emperor/Empress: The ruler whose image is featured on the coin.
• Minting Year(s): The time period when the coin was minted.
• Details: Additional information about the coin, including any notable features or damage.
• Condition: The state of preservation of the coin.

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