Italy's Sardinia dive reveals rare treasure of 30,000 Roman coins

A diver has uncovered an extraordinary discovery off the coast of Sardinia—an enormous cache of ancient coins. 

The find, which includes over 30,000 bronze and copper coins dating back to the fourth century, has captured the attention of archaeologists and history enthusiasts alike, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

“The treasure found in the waters of Arzachena represents one of the most important discoveries of numismatic finds in recent years,” says Luigi La Rocca, director general of archaeology, fine arts, and landscape for the region, in a translated statement from the Italian culture ministry.

Around the town of Arzachena, divers were exploring a sandy area near the beach, surrounded by seagrass, when one coin led to the discovery of tens of thousands more. All of the coins were in an "excellent and rare state of preservation," dating back to between 324 and 340 AD. According to the ministry, based on the weight of the coins, the total number could range from at least 30,000 to as many as 50,000. This makes it one of the largest ancient coin discoveries in recent decades.

There is also a possibility that this discovery could lead to the uncovering of an entirely unknown shipwreck. The underwater environment in the area may be well-suited to preserving a lost wreck, which could explain why so many coins were found in one location. Although no wreck has been found yet, experts are optimistic that further exploration may reveal one.

For now, the discovery of the vast trove of coins on the seafloor is the main source of excitement. The follis coins, made of bronze and copper, were initially used by the Romans and later by the Byzantine Empire.

Upon discovering the coins, the divers immediately contacted authorities, and art protection squad divers teamed up with the ministry’s undersea archaeology department, firefighter divers, and border police divers to investigate the area. Along with the coins, the divers also found narrow-necked jugs with two handles, which further suggested the possibility of a nearby shipwreck.

“This finding highlights the richness and importance of the archaeological heritage that our seabed, traversed by men and goods since the earliest times, still guards and preserves,” La Rocca said.

By Naila Huseynova