Archaeology breakthrough as rare Roman coins worth £258k found in Luxembourg

The discovery, made near the village of Holzthum in northern , includes 141 gold solidi, coins minted under the rule of nine Roman emperors between 364 and 408 AD.

Found near the base of a burgus—a fortified Roman watchtower used for military observation—the coins are believed to have belonged to high-ranking military officers.

“This is a major archaeological discovery, as it is extremely rare to study an intact ancient monetary deposit within its original archaeological context,” announced Luxembourg’s (INRA).

The hoard’s sheer size and exceptional condition have stunned researchers. Each solidus weighs around 4.5 grams of nearly pure gold, amounting to over 6 kilograms.

Rebecca Usherwood, an Assistant Professor in Late Antique and Early Byzantine Studies at Trinity College Dublin, described the discovery as extraordinary.

“This represents a huge amount of personal wealth for the individual or group who collected these coins,” said Prof Usherwood. “Most people in the Roman Empire would rarely, if ever, have seen a single gold coin. To find this many indicates the owner was of considerable social standing, likely a military officer rather than a common soldier.”

The coins, which were typically used for imperial gifts or military payments, are thought to reflect the site’s strategic importance. The area where the hoard was found marked the edge of the Roman Empire, an area heavily fortified against external threats.

Among the most notable coins are three bearing the image of , who ruled for just two tumultuous years (392–394 AD). Eugenius, supported by the Western Roman general Arbogast, attempted to revive pagan traditions but was defeated by the Christian Eastern Emperor Theodosius I at the Battle of Frigidus in 394 AD. Coins from Eugenius’ brief reign are particularly rare, adding to the significance of the find.

The solidi were uncovered during a series of excavations conducted between 2020 and 2024. Luxembourg’s Army Mine Action Service was involved due to nearby unexploded ordnance from World War II. The discovery was kept secret for nearly four years to protect the site and its findings.

Luxembourg law stipulates that the treasure’s estimated value of $322,000 (£257,919) belongs to those with legal claims to the land.

The discovery sheds light on the unstable political and military landscape of the late Roman Empire. According to Usherwood, the coins were likely buried during a time of escalating conflict along the Rhine frontier.

“This region was prosperous earlier in the Fourth Century, particularly around the city of Trier,” explained Prof Usherwood. “But by the early Fifth Century, large-scale incursions from across the Rhine made the area untenable. The coins’ burial coincides with this period of upheaval.”

The hoard’s careful concealment suggests the owner intended to return for it. “The fact that they buried such a portable form of wealth indicates they were unable to safely flee with it,” she said. “Perhaps they were involved in a skirmish or cut off from the site. It’s likely they died before they could recover their treasure.”

The find offers a rare glimpse into the lives of those navigating the challenges of a collapsing empire. The coins, preserved for over 1,600 years, remain a testament to the wealth, power, and fragility of late Roman society.

Now, researchers continue to analyse the coins and their context, aiming to unravel more of the untold stories hidden within this .