Eight gold coins found in Germany prove Roman massacre

Eight Roman gold coins found at excavations in Kalkriese (Lower Saxony), Germany, prove that one of the most famous battles of antiquity may have taken place there. It is also possible that someone has hidden the coins on purpose.

The discovered coins show Emperor Augustus and his grandsons Gaius and Julius Caesar. As scientists say, these are incredibly rare finds. Young heirs to the throne are behind the emperor, holding a shield, a spear and the so-called lituss – priestly staff of the augurs. The found coins were extremely valuable at that time – one aureus could feed the whole family for a month.

It is certain that the coins were minted between the first BCE and first century CE and could belong to either an officer or a senior legionary. According to scientists, the coins may have ended up with Kalkriese in connection with the Battle of the Teutoburg Forest in 9 CE. About 18,000 people lost their lives in the famous slaughter of the Roman army.

The coins were found by detectorists working with the Kalkriese Museum and searching the battlefield.