SAEDNEWS: Italy’s Culture Ministry Reports Discovery of at Least 30,000 Ancient Coins on Northeastern Sardinian Shores
Bronze coins dating back to the first half of the 4th century CE have been found among seagrass just a few steps from the Mediterranean shores near the town of Artsakna in Sardinia, Italy, according to Saed News’ society service.
The Italian Ministry of Culture has not provided the exact date of the discovery, stating only that the coins were first spotted by an anonymous diver, which triggered a larger-scale archaeological investigation.
The excavation, led by Italy’s Art Protection Group and the Ministry of Culture’s Marine Archaeology Department, uncovered a large collection of ancient coins primarily scattered over a sandy area between the seagrass and the shore. The location raises the possibility that the coins may be remnants of a sunken ship nearby.
The total number of coins is not yet determined as they are still being sorted, but the ministry estimates that the collective weight suggests at least 30,000 coins—and possibly as many as 50,000. All coins are in excellent condition, with only a few showing damage but retaining legible inscriptions.
Luigi LaRocca, an official from Sardinia’s Department of Archaeology, told the Associated Press, “The treasure discovered off the coast of Artsakna is one of the most significant coin finds in recent years. This discovery provides further evidence of the wealth and importance of the archaeological heritage preserved by humans since ancient times, still maintained and safeguarded on the seafloor.”
Research is ongoing, and the find—likely one of the most important numismatic discoveries in recent years—is set for further study.
