Rare Hoard of 400 Roman and British Coins Unearthed in the Netherlands

Over 400 Roman-era gold and silver coins found in Netherlands

Over 400 Roman-era gold and silver coins, including rare British pieces, were discovered in the Netherlands, offering insight into ancient trade and warfare.

Two metal detectors in the Netherlands have found a hoard of first-century gold and silver coins. The rare mix of Roman and British money features portraits of emperors and kings who ruled from Rome, England and Africa. The 404 coins were discovered in the fall of 2023 in the town of Bunnik, about 24 miles southeast of Amsterdam. The hoard was acquired by the National Museum of Antiquities of the Netherlands, which is putting them on display in an exhibition called “The Netherlands in Roman Times,” reported Live Science.

The Netherlands in Roman Times

Many of the coins were minted between 46 and 47 AD, during the reign of Roman Emperor Claudius. During this period, the northern border of the Roman Empire was the Rhine River, where Roman troops were stationed to repel attacks by Germanic tribes and to raid Britain.

Of the more than 400 coins, 116 are gold. These gold coins include 72 Roman aurei, dated from 19 BC to 47 AD. They bear the name of the Celtic king Cunobelinus (known in Latin as “Cunobelinus”), who ruled from 9 to 42 AD. The Greek geographer Strabo wrote that Cunobelinus traded with the Romans in precious metals, grain, and dogs.

Mixed Romano-British composition of the coin hoard

Also in the hoard were 288 silver coins, all minted between 200 BC and 47 AD. Dutch archaeologists who have studied the coins and the site of the discovery believe that the hoard was probably buried in 47 AD. A Roman soldier returning from Britain may have collected Roman coins as his pay and British coins as spoils of war. The soldier may have planned to dig up the coins later, or he may have buried them as a token of gratitude to the gods who had allowed him to return safely from battle.

This hoard of Roman coins is the largest ever discovered in the Dutch province of Utrecht, and the first on the European mainland to have a mixed Romano-British composition. The coins have been added to the National Archaeological Collection of the National Museum of Antiquities and are available for further research.