Swiss archeologists have thanked a fruit-and-vegetable farmer for uncovering a massive trove of 1,700-year-old silver and bronze coins.
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A Swiss farmer has discovered a huge trove of ancient Roman coins that were buried in his cherry orchard 1700 years ago.
The Aargau archaeological service rates the hoard as one of the largest numismatic treasures found in Switzerland.
A farmer made the spectacular discovery back in July, when he spotted a molehill with a few shimmering green coins on his land in Ueken. They’re with the country’s archaeological service, who did most of the digging to recover them and officials say they represent one of the largest archaeological finds in the history of the country.
Over three days in September volunteer researchers found more coins under a search directed by cantonal archeologist Georg Matter, the canton said in a news release.
They announced their findings Thursday: 4,166 third-century Roman coins, one of the biggest stashes ever found in Switzerland.
The hoard of coins will go on display at the Vindonissa de Brugg Museum in Aargau.
How much the coins are worth today is beside the point, Matter said, pointing out that the farmer would not be allowed to keep his treasure.
Coin expert Hugo Doppler said they are in such good condition it’s clear they “were taken out of circulation right after they were minted”.
The coins’ excellent condition indicates that their owner systematically stashed them away shortly after they were made, the archeologists said. He said the owner of the treasure must have “deliberately chosen to hoard it, for the silver contained in them guaranteed in the time of economic uncertainty”. Bronze and silver The coins are mostly made from bronze but about 5 percent of the content is silver, considered high ; collectively they weigh 15kg (33lb).
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Archaeologists said that it is near impossible to determine the original value of the coins at the time due to spiraling inflation, but indicated that they must amount to at least a year or two’s worth of salary. According to Swiss law, the coins now belong to the general public.
