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Wednesday, 23 September 2026

4710) Did You Know Series (150): A huge Roman Silver Coin treasure trove from the era of Roman Emperor Hadrian found in Western Germany:

4710)  Did You Know Series (150): A huge Roman Silver Coin treasure trove  from the era of Roman Emperor Hadrian found in Western Germany:

Oliver Riedl discovered the significant hoard of silver coins from the era of Roman Emperor Hadrian in Western Germany

Roman coins, including the one coin in the centre, dating from 148 B.C., when Rome was still a republic without an emperor, are on display at the LVR State Museum, in Bonn, Germany

When amateur archaeologist Oliver Riedl’s metal detector refused to stop signalling in a field in western Germany, he realised he had uncovered far more than just a few loose items.

Riedl alerted the authorities, and a team of specialists subsequently unearthed a total of 934 Roman silver denarii. According to the local office responsible for archaeological monuments on Tuesday, it represents the largest coin treasure from the era of Roman Emperor Hadrian ever discovered in Germany.

"It was clear to me that there was something bigger buried here," said Riedl, describing how his device kept sounding near Wesseling, south of Cologne, a year ago. 

The collection of coins, which weighs 3.1 kilograms (6.8 pounds), went on display at the LVR-Landes Museum Bonn on Tuesday.

Archaeologists at the LVR Office for the Preservation of Archaeological Monuments in the Rhineland believe the silver was deliberately hidden during the second quarter of the second century A.D.

Roman coins are on display at the LVR State Museum in Bonn, Germany (AP)

"Of course, we can only speculate about the motives, but it’s very likely that someone wanted to keep this money safe. After all, banks didn’t exist back then," said Erich Classen, state archaeologist and director of the office.

Classen noted that it was unclear why the cache was never recovered, adding that "perhaps the owner died before that could happen, without being able to pass on the knowledge about the coins."

While ancient Roman troves are found periodically, the archaeological office stated that second-century finds are rarely as extensive as the Wesseling discovery, making it difficult to calculate the hoard's exact value at the time.

Historical documentation regarding the earnings of Roman legionaries does, however, provide a point of reference.

A Roman coin dating from 148 B.C., when Rome was still a republic without an emperor (AP)

"At that time, an ordinary soldier in the legion earned 300 denarii a year. However, about half of that was withheld for food and equipment," said Rahel Otte, a research associate at the office.

"A legionary would therefore have had to save all of his disposable income for about six years to amass the Wesseling hoard," Otte said, adding that it remains unknown who ultimately accumulated the fortune.

The region surrounding Cologne was under Roman rule from roughly 39 BC to AD 459. Roman presence was established under General Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa to secure the empire's border along the Rhine River, creating a military post that eventually became Colonia Agrippina — modern-day Cologne.







Links to posts on Vespa Scooters on this Blog:


Links to posts on the XXV Olympic Winter Games on this blog:

1) "XXV Olympic Winter Games (06 to 22.02.2026) being held in Milano-Cortina, Italy", Estonia: Omniva - Eesti Post (Estonian Post) has issued a postage stamp of 3.90 Euro depicting the Games: Date/Year of Stamp issue: 23.01.2026

2) XXV Olympic Winter Games (06 to 22.02.2026) being held in Milano-Cortina, Italy, Estonia: Eesti Bank (Estonian Central Bank) has issued 15 Euro Silver Proof Coins Highlighting the Milano Cortina Olympic Winter Games: Date/Year of Coin issue: 23.01.2026 

For some other interesting posts from Italy/The Vatican, please visit the following links:

The Twelve Apostles Coin Series:

1) "The Twelve Apostles", Vatican City: The Twelve Apostles Coin Series: The first Silver Coins of 5- and 10-Euro minted by the "Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca Dello Stato" (IPZS) on behalf of "Coommercializzazione Filatelica e Numismatica" (CFN) feature St. Peter & St. Andrew: Date of Coins issued: 10.11.2022

2) St.Andrew, Vatican Mint: A 10 Euro 22-gm Silver Proof Coin: The second Coin in "The Twelve Apostles Coin Series": Year of Coin issue: 2022

3) St. Peter and the Rooster star on latest Vatican 20 Euro coin issued by the CFN (Commercialzzone Filatelica E Numasmatica - Vatican City): "Art and Faith Coin Series: Year of Coin issue: 2024

4) St. Bartholomew, Vatican Mint: A 10 Euro 22 gm Silver Proof Coin: The Sixth Coin in "The Twelve Apostles Coin Series": Year of Coin issue: 2024

5) St. John, Vatican Mint: A 5 Euro 22-gm Silver Proof Coin: The Third Coin in "The Twelve Apostles Coin Series": Year of Coin issue: 2023

6) St. James the Greater, Vatican Mint: A 10 Euro 22-gm Silver Proof Coin: The Fourth Coin in "The Twelve Apostles Coin Series": Year of Coin issue: 2023

7) Saint Philip, Vatican Mint: A 5 Euro 22-gm Silver Prfoof Coin: The Fifth Coin in "The Twelve Apostles Coin Series": Dare/Year of Coin issue: 2024

The Fountains of Italy Coin Series:


Other Links:




























35) St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican (San Pietro in Vaticano), Republic of Palau: "Tiffany Art Metropolis Coin Series - San Pietro": Coin Invest Trust (CIT) has coordinated the issue of $500 (Gold) and $25 (Silver Coins minted by B.H. Mayer's Kunstprageanstalt GmbH at their facilities in Munich: Year of Coin issue: 2022

36) "The Twelve Apostles", Vatican City: The Twelve Apostles Coin Series: The first Silver Coins of 5- and 10-Euro minted by the "Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca Dello Stato" (IPZS) on behalf of "Coommercializzazione Filatelica e Numismatica" (CFN) feature St. Peter & St. Andrew: Date of Coins issued: 10.11.2022

37) "Towards the Holy Year 2025", Vatican City: A 200 Euro Gold Coin issued by the Commercializzazone Filatelica e Numismatica (CFN) to commemorate the three-year programme (2022-2023-2024) culminting in 2025: Date/Year of Coin issue: 19.12.2022

38) "Bergamo and Brescia", Italy: Five Euro Commemorative Copper Coins issued by the Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato Italiano (IPZS) showcases the designated Italian Cultural Capital Cities: Date/Year of Coin issue: 20.02.2023

39) Luigi Vanvitelli (12.05.1700-01.03.1773), Architect and Painter, Italy: 250th Anniversary of his passing away: Five Euro (Silver) and Twenty Euro (Gold) Coins issued by the Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato Italiano (IPZS) commemorate this celebrated Baroque Era Architect: Date/Year of Coin issue: 21.02.2023

40) "The Lateran Pacts between the Italian State and the Holy See", Vatican City State: 90th Anniversary Celebrations (1929-2019): The Ufficio Filetelco E. Numismatico (Office of the Philatelic and Numismatic Bureau of the Vatican) has issued an embroidered postage stamp of 8.40 Euro depicting the Coat of Arms of the Vatican City State: Date/Year of Stamp issue: 2019 (Reissued on 12.12.2022)

41) Environmental Protection as enshrined in the Italian Constitution, Italy: A Square-shaped bi-metallic Silver and Copper 5 Euro Coin brought out by the Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato Italiano (IPZS) highlights environmental protection in the Italian constitution: Date of Coin issue: 27.04.2023

42) "The Resurrection of Christ" ("CHRISTVS RESVRREXIT"), Vatican City State: Rectangular-shaped Silver Proof and Colour Coins feature Renaissance painter Pietro Vannucci's (also known as "Perugino") masterpiece, presently in the Apostolic Palace Library: Date/Year of Coin issue: 04/2023

43) The Second Vatican Council - Nostra Aetate (In Our Time), Vatican City State: A 100 Euro Gold Coin minted by the Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato Italiano (IPZS) at their facilities in Rome on behalf of the Treasury Department of the Vatican City State: Date/Year of Coin issue: 2023

44) The history of the Olympics in Italy - TRiTTICO Cortina 1956, Rome 1960, Turin 2006, Republic of Italy (Repubblica Italiana): Three 20 Euro Gold Coins issued by the Istututo Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato Italiano (IPZS) celebrate the selection of 2026 Winter Olympics in the City of Cortino Italy: Date/Year of Coin issue: 07.09.2023

45) A Euro Coin Set - 2018, Vatican City State: An eight (8) Coin Set issued by the Commercializzazione Filatelica e Numismatica on Euro Coins: Coins minted by the IPZS Italy on behalf of the "Stato Della Citta Del Vaticano" (The Vatican City State") in 2018

46) Remembrance to Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, Vatican City: Coins issued by Commercializzazione Filetelica e Numismatica on 10 Euro Silver Coins: Coins minted by the Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato Italiano (IPZS) Italy on behalf of the "Stato Della Citta Del Vaticano" ("The Vatican City State"): Date of Coin issue: 26.10.2023

47) The Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato Italiano (IPZS) at their facilities in Rome on behalf of the Treasury Department of the Vatican City State has issued the first of two commemorative 10 Euro coins which mark 2025 and the Holy Year Pilgrims of Hope: Date/Year of Coins issue: 12/2023

48) Pesaro, Italy: The Italian City designatied as the 2024 European Capital of Culture (ECOC):Date of Coin issue: 26.01,2024

49) Around the World Voyage of the Amerigo Vespucci, Italy's oldest Naval Vessel: A 5 Euro Silv er Proof & Colour Coin presents the voyage of the v essel: Date of Coin issue: 08.03.2024

50) St. Peter and the Rooster star on latest Vatican 20 Euro coin issued by the CFN (Commercialzzone Filatelica E Numasmatica - Vatican City: "Art and Faith Coin Series: Year of Coin issue: 2024;

51) Pope Francis Coin Card, Vatican City: A 1 Euro Base Metal Coin: The Commercializzazione Filatelica e Numismatica " (CFN) has issued a 1 Euro Copper Coin minted by the Istituto Poligrafico e Zella dello State (or State Mint and Polygraphic Institute - IPZS), Italy: Date/Year of Coin issue: 2024

52) The Vatican Coin Set: The "Commercializzazione Filatelica e Numismatica" (CFN) has issued an eight (8) Copper-Nickel (CuNi) Coin Set minted by the Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato ("State Mint and Poligraphic Institute - IPZS"), Italy: Date/Year of Coin set issue: 2024

53) Concordat between the Holy See and the Republic of Poland, Poland: Rectangular Silver Proof Coins Mark the 100th Anniversary of the conclusion of the Concordat (1925-2025): Date/Year of Coin issue: 06.02.2025

54) Did You Know Series (103): Between One Pope and the Next - the Sede Vacante (meaning "Vacant Seat:) Coins are issued:

55) Cardinal Robert Prevost is Pope Leo XIV, the 267th Pope, United States of America (USA): A 1-oz Silver Election of Pope Leo XIV Round: Date/Year of Round issue: 08.05.2025

56) The Pontifical Shrine of Our Lady of the Rosary of Pompeii and Pope Francis: Citta Del Vaticano (Vatican City): The IPZS, Italy (in English, it translates to State Printing Works and Mint) has minted a 50 Euro Gold Coin which features a kneeling Late Pope Francis on one face and The Shrine on the other:: Year of Coin issue: 2015

57) The Pontifical Shrine of Our Lady of the Rosary of Pompeii and Pope Francis, CITTA DEL VATICANO (Vatican City): The Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato (IPZS), Italy (In English, it translates to State Printing Works and Mint) has minted a 20 Euro Gold Coin which features Late Pope Francis on one face and the Virgin Mary with a crown sitting on a throne and holding the baby Jesus Christ, with angels kneeling on the  sides, on the other: Year of Coin issue: 2015

58) "Beloved Opera, Norma by Bellini, Republic of Italy (Repubblica Italiana): 5 Euro Silver Colour and Proof Rectangular Coins issued b y the IPZS" Date/Year of Coin issue: 24.06.2025

59) "Repubblic d'Italia") The "Italian Republic/Peninsula"), Cook Islands: A $10 (Ten Dollars) Silver Coin co-ordinated by Coin Invest Trust (CIT): Minted by B.H.Mayer's Kunstprageanstalt (GmbH) at their facilities in Munich: Year of Coin issue: 2025

60) "Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026", Republic of Italy: A 50 Euro Gold proof Coin features the official logo of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games: Date/Year of Coin issue: 27.08.2025

61) Did You Know Series (120): A Diver discovered the Biggest Treasure ever found in the Mediterranean Sea - consisting of about 30,000 to 50,000 Ancient Roman Coins some dating back as far as the 4th Century AD found off the coast of Azachena, located in Sardinia, Italy

62) National Intelligence Agencies, Republic of Italy (Repubblica Italiana): Centenary Anniversary (12925-2025): 5 Euro Coins issued by the Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato Italiano (IPZS) to celebrate the milestone: Date/Year of Coins issue: 13.10.2025

63) "Election of New Pontiff", Vatican City: The Commercializzozione Filatelica e Numismatica, (which translates to Philatelic and Numismatic Marketing) has issued a Commemorative 2 Dollar Coin which marks the transition to a New Pope, minted by the Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato Italiano - IPZS at their facilities in Rome on behalf of the Treasury Department of the Vatican City State: Date/Year of Coins issue: 04.02.2026

64) "Flora and Fauna", Italian Republic (Repubblica Italiana): 75 Eurocents (Gold) and 25 Euro-Cents and 1,50 Euro cents (Silver) Bullion Coins issued by the Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato (IPZS): Date/Year of Coins issue: 11/17.02.2026

65) "Common Design - 70 Years of EUROPA Stamps", (Citta Del Vaticano), Vatican City: Commercializzazione Filatelica e Numismatica (CFN) - _(Vatican City Postal & Numismatic Services) has issued one EUROPA Stamp of (1,35 Euro): Date of issue: 08.05.2026

Illustrious Italians Coin Series:

66) "Ricardo Muti" - (born 28 July 1941), Repubblica Italiana (Republic of Italy): First Coin in the series is a 3 Euro Silver Proof Coin brought out by "The Istituto Poligrafico Zecca dello Stato (IPZS): Date of Coin issue: 2026

Italian Capital of Culture:

67) The Italian Capital of Cultutre L'Aquila designated os the Italian Copital of Culture, 2026, Republic of Italy (Repubblica Italiana): The Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato (IPZS): the Italian State Mint and Polygraphic Institute has issued 5 Euro Copper Coins to celebrate the designation of (ICOC): Date/Year of Coins issue: 2026

Links to Posts on Marco Polo on  this Blog:

1) Marco Polo, Explorer, Italy (1254-8/9.01.1324): A 10 Euro Silver Coin issued by Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca di Stato, the Italian State Mint (2018)

2) Marco Polo (1254-1324), Venetian Traveller, Italy: The royal Dutch Mint (RDM) has brought out this special Silver strike of a Gold florin: Date/Year of Coin issue: 2024

Posts on the Ryder Cup on this Blog:

i) The 2014 Ryder Cup Commemorative Banknote: Commemorating the Ryder Cup, Europe with a 5 Pound Sterling Banknote issued by the Royal Bank of Scotland

ii) The 44th Ryder Cup held in Italy: 10 Euro Silver Coins with applied colour and concave centre brought out by the Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato Italiano (IPZS) marks the conduct of the prestigious Ryder Cup in Italy for the first time: Date of Coin issue: 18.09.2023

Italian Excellence Coin Series:



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