Treasure hunters unearth Roman coins and other items in eastern Poland

"The oldest found coin is the best-preserved one. It dates back to the times of Emperor Vespasian reign, that is 69-79 AD. The other coins were hammered in the era of Hadrian and Marcus Aurelius - that is in the 2nd century," says Bartłomiej Bartecki, director of Stanisław Staszic Museum in Hrubieszów.

His museum took over the four coins as well as other items that had been found in a field in Dołhobyczów municipality.

The coins were discovered by treasure hunters who had been authorised to search the area with metal detectors.

"The items were found after they had been unearthed by heavy farming equipment. Apart from the coins also garment elements and pieces of jewellery were found among other things," the museum director said.

Bartecki added, that in the 1st and 2nd century, Hrubieszów Valley had been a place in which two German tribes would clash.

"In the 1st and 2nd century the Vandals used to live here until they the second part of the 2nd century, when they were pushed out by the Goths advancing from Scandinavia. At this point it's hard to say exactly who these coins and other items belonged to. Maybe we will find something else at the site. After the harvest, when the crops are removed, we want to carry out a search there," he told tvn2.pl.

In 2019, a so-called Cichobórz treasure was placed in the Hrubieszów museum. The find consists of 1753 silver denarii from the 1st and 2nd century.

"The find is in the middle of scientific analysis. It's being preserved and digitalised. The treasure was presented this year during the last edition of the Night of Museums. It will be available to see here at the end of next year," Bartecki said.

He added that quite a lot of Roman coins were being found in the area.

"It's because the trade between barbarian tribes and the Roman Empire was very advanced at the time. Hence, money was treated the same way as today, as a currency used to regulate transactions," the museum director said.