It all started in 2017, when a lonely gold coin appeared in a field near the small town of Holzthum, in Luxembourg. What seemed an unimportant finding led to an excavation that revealed an impressive treasure: 141 pure gold coins, known as Solidi, coined between the years 364 and 408 AD
The coins were found at the site of a Burgusa Roman military surveillance tower used to protect the borders of the empire. This suggests that someone hid them for a period of uncertainty, perhaps waiting to recover them at another time that never arrived. This finding is much more than gold: it is a silent testimony of a civilization in crisis.
Gold coins: witnesses of an empire on the verge of collapse
This treasure not only has great material value, but also offers clues about the decline of the Roman Empire. The Solidi were introduced by the Diocletian emperor at the end of the third century DC as a desperate measure to combat inflation and restore confidence in the imperial economy. For centuries, they represented stability, but their discovery in Holzthum could indicate otherwise: the fear and uncertainty of a turbulent era.
The Emperor that the story wanted to forget
Among the currencies found, some carry the face of an almost unknown emperor: Eugenio. Briefly ruled the Roman Empire of the West between 392 and 394 AD, supported by General Arbogastas. However, his government was never recognized by the Eastern Emperor Theodosius I, who considered him a usurper.
The reign of Eugenio ended abruptly in the battle of Frígido, one of the last great battles of the Roman Empire. After his defeat, he was executed and his name erased from the story. The presence of his coins in this treasure suggests that his economic influence was greater than he thought, challenging the official narrative about his brief reign.
An invaluable treasure beyond gold
The estimated treasure value found in Holzthum amounts to $ 322,000, but its historical meaning is incalculable. These currencies could change our understanding of the last days of the Roman Empire and reveal new keys about its economy and military strategy.
Archaeologists continue to study this finding in the hope of discovering more details about their origin and purpose. As the coins and their context are carefully analyzed, the Roman past continues to emerge from the depths of the earth, reminding us that history still has secrets to reveal.
