Ancient Roman Coins Found in Spain Could Be Worth Millions

While fixing water pipes in Spain, construction workers stumbled upon some literal buried treasure.

Workers at a southern Spanish park unearthed about 1,000 pounds worth of bronze Roman coins from the third and forth centuries. The coins were found in 19 amphoras, or antique jars.

The discovery was made just outside of Seville in the small town of Tomares, a part of the Iberian Peninsula that was once ruled by the Romans. According to the Associated Press, the Romans began to conquer Spain around 218 B.C., and ruled until the fifth century.

The coins are engraved with the insignia of Roman emperors Constantine and Maximilian, who ruled during the time when the Romans controlled this region of Spain. It is believed that these coins were used to pay the army or civil servants.

Better yet, these coins are believed to be worth several millions of dollars these days.

Ana Navarro, head of Seville’s archeological museum excitedly told The Guardian, “It is a unique collection and there are very few similar cases. The majority were newly minted and some of them probably were bathed in silver, not just bronze.”

Needless to say, work on the water pipes has been put on pause to excavate the area.