Ancient Roman Silver Coins Discovered in Italy

A significant discovery of 27 silver Roman coins, dating between 94 and 74 BC, was made on Pantelleria Island during a restoration project led by archaeologist Thomas Schaefer from the University of Tübingen. The coins, found in the Acropolis of the Archaeological Park, were spotted in loose soil after recent rains and also uncovered beneath a rock. This site is historically rich, having previously yielded a trove of 107 Roman coins in 2010 and notable imperial statue heads of Caesar, Agrippina, and Titus. Regional councillor Francesco Paolo Scarpinato highlighted the find's importance for understanding trade and political relations in the Mediterranean during the Republican era. Schaefer speculated that the coins were hidden during a pirate attack and never retrieved. The discovery enhances knowledge of the region's ancient history and economic interactions.