Ancient Roman coins found under a house

Under the floor of a Gallo-Roman house in Senon, France, archaeologists discovered three large jars containing tens of thousands of ancient Roman coins, preserved for nearly 1,800 years. The coins were not hidden in a rush but appear to have been part of a domestic savings system used over time.

Coins found in three sealed jars

The National Institute for Preventive Archaeological Research (Inrap) uncovered more than 40,000 bronze coins in three jars buried in the floor of ancient dwellings. This discovery is unusual because archaeologists typically find only small numbers of ancient coins, never such a large and intact collection.

Jars held thousands of coins each

The excavation, covering 1,500 square meters, revealed three containers hidden in the floor of living rooms. The first jar held 23,000 to 24,000 coins, weighing 38 kilograms. A second jar, with a broken neck, held between 18,000 and 19,000 coins, totaling nearly 50 kilograms. The third jar had been emptied long ago, leaving only three coins behind.

Coins from the same time period

All the coins date from 280 to 310 AD and feature emperors of the Gallic Empire, such as Victorinus and Tetradus. These coins were made of low-value bronze and were common in circulation, meaning that accumulating tens of thousands of them would have represented a significant amount of wealth.

Jars were accessible and used over time

The placement of the jars suggests they were not hidden in a hurry. Instead, they were installed in enclosed pits with openings at floor level in living rooms, making them accessible daily. Coins still stuck to the rim indicate that the jars were used and replenished long after their initial placement.

Coins suggest a form of savings system

Numismatist Vincent Geneviève believes the jars served as a savings reserve, allowing inhabitants to withdraw and replenish money as needed. Archaeologist Simon Ritz views the management of these funds as similar to modern banking practices, integrated into daily life rather than hidden away.

Site near a military post and artisans’ homes

The settlement where the coins were found was located near an ancient military post and close to the modern borders of Belgium, Luxembourg, and Germany. The houses had features like floor heating and cellars, suggesting the inhabitants were artisans and merchants with considerable wealth.

Fire and disaster ended the site’s use

A violent fire in the early fourth century likely caused the savings to be abandoned. After a short period of reoccupation, another disaster led to the permanent abandonment of the site. Researchers continue to study the coins to better understand their history and the timeline of their burial.