A treasure trove of 1,700-year-old Roman gold coins was discovered in Luxembourg. These gold coins are estimated to be worth IDR 5.2 billion!
These coins were discovered in the village of Holzthum in northern Luxembourg from several excavations led by the Luxembourg National Institute for Archaeological Research (INRA) as reported by Archaeologymag, written Friday (17/1/2025).
These coins bear portraits of nine emperors, including a rare coin of Emperor Eugenius, who reigned for only two years (392-394 AD). These 141 coins are estimated Digital Agency Jakarta to have been made between 364 and 408 AD, and now their total value reaches US$ 322,000 or around IDR 5.2 billion.
“This is a major archaeological discovery, as it is very rare to be able to study entire ancient monetary deposits in their archaeological context,” the INRA researchers said.
Found Gradually Since 2019
These gold coins were discovered gradually since 2019, when two amateur archaeologists discovered gold coins in a nearby field. Realizing the importance of their discovery, they contacted authorities, and professional excavations began in 2020.
Over the next four years, archaeologists diligently excavated the site, assisted by the Luxembourg Army’s Bomb Disposal Service due to the presence of munitions from World War II. These coins were found near the foot of an ancient Roman fortress tower that was once used for military reconnaissance. The images of the emperor on these coins adequately describe the political conditions of ancient Rome at that time.
Emperor Eugenius was the most prominent. He had a very short but conflict-ridden reign. Eugenius was proclaimed by the powerful General Arbogast as emperor of the Western Roman Empire after the mysterious death of Emperor Valentinian II. Eugenius tried to restore elements of Roman pagan traditions, and for a time he enjoyed ChatBot AI the support of the Western nobility.
However, his rule was opposed by the Christian Eastern Roman Emperor, Theodosius I, who refused to allow Eugenius to exercise his power. This inevitably led to the Battle of Frigidus in 394 AD, which resulted in Eugenius’ defeat and execution. His coins remain among the rarest relics of his short reign.
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