2016-05-24 Tue

A team of construction workers discovered a large haul of roman coins when they were installing electricity in a park at Tomares, Spain in April. As per official reports, the haul weighed 1,300 pounds and consisted of more than 50,000 coins stored in 19 jug-like vessels called amphoras. Out of the 19 jugs, nine were fully intact. Most of the coins were made of bronze and less than 4 percent of them were made of silver. These coins are conserved and are in very good condition.

As per official statements, the coins bore inscriptions which prove that they were minted during the reign of Diocletianus, Maximianus and Maxentius, Constantius I and Severus II. The coins can be broadly dated to Tetrarchic times, a political system established by Diocletian in 293. Majentius was later defeated by Constantine I at the battle of the Milvian Bridge.

These bronze coins had 5 percent of silver content, concentrated on the surface. The shiny look from some angles make the coins appear to have a higher silver content than reality.

During the Tetrarchy period, the kingdom was ruled by four men with equal amounts of power so that the strain of governance does not fall on one ruler. Coins were neatly struck under the names of 15 different people and feature simple art.

More research would be required to unveil the history behind this find.