Massive Roman Coin Hoard Discovered Near Bucharest by Romanian Metal Detectorist!
A Romanian hobbyist with a passion for metal detecting has made a remarkable discovery near the village of Letca Veche, roughly 25 miles southwest of Bucharest. What began as a relaxing outing turned into a historic find—one of the country's largest hoards of Roman silver coins ever uncovered.
Marius Mangeac, who often explores the countryside with his metal detector for leisure and fitness, made the discovery entirely by chance. He shared the news on Facebook: “It was a beautiful Saturday, and I headed out alone as I often do. I never imagined the day would hold such a surprise.”
Photo Credit: Marius Mangeac / Facebook
The hoard consists of an astonishing 1,469 Roman silver denarii, believed to be nearly 2,000 years old. The coins date from the reign of Emperor Nero (CE 54) through to that of Marcus Aurelius (CE 161), and depict a total of 11 different emperors and empresses.
Evidence at the site suggests the coins were originally buried in a ceramic pot, fragments of which were found nearby. Interestingly, the vessel appears to have been deliberately smashed before being buried—a ritualistic or symbolic act not uncommon in ancient times.
Photo Credit: Marius Mangeac / Facebook
Following the discovery, Mangeac carefully documented the coins over the course of two days before reporting the find to local authorities in Letca Nouă, as required by Romanian law. Police recorded the site, which is now protected for further archaeological investigation.
The collection has since been catalogued and will be transferred to the County Directorate for Culture. From there, it will be assessed and eventually placed on public display at the Teohari Antonescu County Museum in Giurgiu.
Experts say the size and historical range of the hoard make it one of the most significant Roman coin finds in Romanian history.
Romanian legislation rewards those who report valuable finds, offering up to 45% of the estimated value of the treasure, meaning Mangeac may well be in line for a substantial reward, in addition to the satisfaction of making such a significant contribution to the country’s cultural heritage.