Archaeologists discovered ancient gold coins in an unexpected place during recent excavations in Bulgaria.
The five Byzantine coins, dating back to the reign of Emperor Justinian the Great, were discovered by archaeologists excavating the site of the village of Devnevo in northern Bulgaria. The discovery was announced on August 27 by Associate Professor Stiliyan Ivanov of the National Archaeological Museum Institute.
The village, close to a 5th-century fortress, has been the site of excavations for the past five years, but researchers were stumped when they found the coins in the ruins of a 10th-century house.
Justinian ruled the Byzantine Empire from 527 to 565 AD, meaning the currency predates the institution by over 400 years.
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Archaeologists have discovered five valuable gold coins during recent excavations in Bulgaria. (Dr. Stilian Ivanov)
Ivanov told Live Science that medieval builders likely discovered the coins while building a 10th-century house that burned down in the late 10th century, and archaeologists believe the site was abandoned shortly after.
The coins were still considered valuable in the 10th century, and medieval residents likely kept them as heirlooms. Ivanov told Fox News Digital he's “very pleased” by the interest in the coins.
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Archaeologists carried out excavations in the village of Devnevo in northern Bulgaria. (Dr. Stilian Ivanov)
Three of the coins are in good condition, but the other two are stuck together, and archaeologists believe they were likely melted down in the fire that destroyed the medieval home.
The coin features the face of Justinian in the center, along with the inscription, “Our Lord Justinian perpetua Augustus.” The reverse of the relic bears the phrase, “The Triumph of Augustus.”
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Three of the coins were in good condition, but the other two had melted down. (Dr. Stilian Ivanov)
Besides the coins, archaeologists also found axes, sickles, ceramic vessels and bronze rings, but the most surprising find of the excavations was the coins.
The dig was one of several that led archaeologists to discover ancient currency this summer: In August, researchers found ancient Greek gold coins in what is now western Turkey.
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The coins were discovered at the site of a 10th century dwelling. (Dr. Stilian Ivanov)
In May, a woman on a walk in the Czech Republic stumbled upon a collection of 2,150 silver coins minted between 1085 and 1107.
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