A Gallo-Roman treasure discovered in Ain

A labourer carrying out work on private land in Meximieux, near Lyon, stumbled upon a trove of between 800 and 1,000 Roman bronze coins which archaeologists say date from the 3rd century AD. 

Similar coins were discovered late September 2010 at Autun, Saone-et-Loire [Credit: Jeff Pachoud/AFP]

The Mayor of Meximieux, Christian Bussy, welcomed the historic contribution of this discovery in his town. "This extraordinary numismatic treasure was found completely accidentally in my town, which is a very old Gallo-Roman settlement."  

"Someone had likely hidden these coins on this land 1,700 years ago," he said in le Figaro, adding that "the National Commission for Archaeological Research will determine their scientific and historical interest."  

Under French law half the treasure will go to the owner of the land and half to the worker who found the hoard, though they may have to wait five years to receive their reward  The coins have been tentatively valued at 100 euros a piece.

Source: Le Figaro [June 21, 2012]