Roman coin hoard found in downtown Sofia

Bulgarian archaeologists discovered an ancient Roman hoard consisting of 2976 silver denarii coins during excavations works at Saint Nedelya square in downtown Sofia.

This treasure of almost 3,000 silver Ancient Roman coins from the 1st-2nd century AD
 has been found in a clay vessel during excavations of the ruins of ancient Serdica 
in the downtown of the Bulgarian capital Sofia [Credit: BGNES]

The coins were found in a ceramic vessel, which bears the name of its last owner inscribed on one of its sides, Cross news agency informs.

According to the inscription, the last owner of the treasure was Selvii Calyst – a Roman citizen of Greek origin.

The coins date back to the 1st and 2nd century AD and had been collected over a period of a hundred years.

Almost all of the emperors from the Antonine dynasty as well as their wives, daughters or sisters are depicted on the coins.

The earliest coins date back to the reign of Emperor Vespasian, while the most recent are from the rule of Emperor Commodus.

The name of the treasure’s owner – Selvius Calistus – was scratched on the outside
 of the vessel containing the coins (left) [Credit: BGNES]

This constitutes the largest collective coin hoard found during excavations at the site of the ancient Roman city of Serdica.

This shows that between the 1st and 3rd centuries AD Serdica was a wealthy town with citizens, who could afford to collect such coins.

Currently, the hoard is at the National Institute of Archaeology with Museum at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (BAN), where conservation works are being carried out.

Later, it will be on display at the Sofia History Museum

The ancient cultural-communication centre Serdica will be completed in the middle of November, while its official opening will be next year.

Source: Novinite [September 05, 2015]