The Trier Gold Hoard containing more than 2650 aurei (gold coins), hidden in 196 AD during the revold of Clodius Albinus against emperor Septimius Severus

Kane Khanh | Archeaology
August 22, 2023

The Trier Gold Hoard

The ‘Trier Gold Hoard’ was the largest Roman gold hoard ever discovered. Comprising of 2,500 gold coins weighing 18.5 kg , the discovery was made during excavation works in 1993, nearly 1,800 years after it was hidden.
The oldest coins were struck on Emperor Nero in the years 63/64 AD, the youngest under Septimius Severus between 193 and 196. – © Thomas Zühmer

The discovery of the Gold Hoard in Trier in 1993 caused quite a sensation. Greater inspection revealed that it was not simply someone’s personal fortune but most likely an official treasury. The treasury had been carefully administered and had grown over time. The Hoard equated to the annual salary of around 130 Roman soldiers. The aurei (gold coins) feature a total of 27 emperors, empresses and members of the imperial family, and some are still considered unique to this day.

Why were the coins buried?
The gold coins were buried in a cellar during a civil war in 196 AD. Clodius Albinus had caused a revolt against Emperor Septimius Severus when he appointed his son Caracalla as successor to the throne instead of Albinus. The former administrator of the hoard presumably took the knowledge of the secret stash with him to the grave.

How to view the coins
Today this unique ensemble is exhibited in the coin collection at the Rheinisches Landesmuseum Trier. The state museum is among the largest archaeological museums in Germany and displays a total of 12,000 coins in its exhibition. In addition to archaeological finds, the Gold Hoard presentation room also provides extensive information on the emergence of the monetary system and how ancient, medieval and modern money has been produced.

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