Wednesday, September 21, 2016

The Trier Gold Hoard is a hoard of 2516 gold coins with a weight of 18.5 kg found in Trier, Germany in September 1993 during construction works. It is described as the largest preserved Roman gold hoard worldwide

On 9 September 1993, an excavator unearthed and ripped apart a bronze cauldron during excavations for an underground parking garage. Part of the cauldron and some coins went to a dump site, initially unnoticed. After the first coins were detected at the excavation site, treasure hunters also began to search the earth at the dump site. An amateur archaeologist, Erich Eixner went back to the excavation site at night and found the larger part of the bronze cauldron, containing 560 coins and an additional lump of 1500 coins, using his metal detector. He informed the authorities of his discovery and received about 20,000 DM.  No doubt, young Erich likely kept a few of those gold beauties for himself, as there were certainly plenty.


The hoard was hidden for the first time in 167 AD, probably because of the Antonine Plague The last time it was probably buried while Augusta Treverorum was beleaguered by Clodius Albinus, since the latest coins were struck 196 AD under Septimius Severus.

Those Romans buried an incredible amount of their wealth, judging by how much of it has been dug up over the years, that we know of.

That there be a pile o' money, fit to make a pirate's heart beat with desire!







3 comments:

  1. $793,567.30 - the worth today of only the gold, by weight. The worth of the coins, as historical objects, is essentially incalculable.

    His Government awarded him @20,000 Deutschmarks, which today would equal $11,401.82.

    Cui, one must ask, bono?

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  2. You can't take it with you...

    =T.W.=

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    Replies
    1. Believe me, if I found $8 Million, I wouldn't take any of it with me.

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