Ancient Roman Coins, Including Counterfeits, Discovered at Swedish Military Base

Archaeologists in Sweden have unearthed a significant hoard of 45 ancient Roman silver coins and a gold finger ring during excavations at the Gotland Regiment military base. The discovery, announced by the Swedish Armed Forces, includes two coins believed to be ancient counterfeits.

The coins were discovered during archaeological work preceding an expansion of the military base. According to officials, a metal detector indicated the presence of objects near a farmhouse foundation dating to the Migration Period, which spanned roughly the fifth and sixth centuries A.D.

Among the unearthed coins are examples featuring Roman Emperor Antoninus Pius, who ruled from 138 to 161 A.D. The collection includes coins minted during the second century A.D. for five emperors—Trajan, Hadrian, Antoninus Pius, Marcus Aurelius, and Commodus—and four empresses: Vibia Sabina, Faustina I, Faustina II, and Lucilla. Experts estimate the coins arrived on Gotland during the fourth century and were buried with the gold ring around 450 A.D.

Two of the discovered coins are considered ancient counterfeits, possibly originating from the region of modern-day Ukraine. The silver coins were largely as expected for such a site, but the gold ring was considered an unusual find by archaeologists.

Additionally, nine graves believed to be around 2,000 years old were found on the military grounds. One grave contained approximately 10 pounds of burned human bones, identified as belonging to at least two individuals, including an adult male. Bronze fittings, likely for a sword suspension and a shield, were also recovered.

Radiocarbon dating results indicate activity at the settlement from the fourth through sixth centuries. Archaeologists suggest the site may have been gradually abandoned, with some inhabitants possibly returning to retrieve belongings for a new settlement. One theory for the abandonment points to a period of natural disasters starting around 536 A.D. and lasting for a decade.

The discovery adds to a series of ancient finds in Sweden, including rare Bronze Age neck rings found earlier this year and a well-preserved 5,000-year-old dog skeleton discovered the previous winter.