Diver Discovers Trove of 30,000-50,000 Well-Preserved 4th Century Roman Coins Off Italian Coast, Potentially Indicating Hidden Ancient Shipwreck

Diver uncovers ancient "Follis" coins dating from the reign of Roman Emperor Diocletian and Constantine the Great; archaeological team finds the preserved coins along with ancient jugs indicating possible shipwreck, in a region vulnerable to natural phenomena and human actions.

The discovery was made off the coast of Sardinia, Italy, where an amateur diver spotted something metallic peaking out from the seabed in a shallow section of the Mediterranean Sea.
The treasure trove is estimated to contain between 30,000 and 50,000 bronze Roman coins, known as 'follis', introduced by Roman Emperor Diocletian in AD 294 and believed to date back to the reign of Constantine the Great (324-340 AD).
The coins are exceptionally well-preserved, with only four seen slightly damaged but still legible; they were found alongside remains of ancient Greek or Roman narrow-necked jugs (Amphorae).
The location and context of the coin discovery suggest there might be an ancient shipwreck hidden nearby, which could be a significant archaeological site, according to the Italian Ministry of Culture.
Luigi La Rocca, a Sardinian archaeology department official, highlighted the importance of the find, calling it 'one of the most important coin discoveries' in recent years, but also noted the region's vulnerability to natural phenomena and human actions.