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| Trove of ancient Roman coins found in Switzerland | Trove of ancient Roman coins found in Switzerland |
| (about 9 hours later) | |
| A Swiss farmer has discovered a huge trove of ancient Roman coins in his cherry orchard. | A Swiss farmer has discovered a huge trove of ancient Roman coins in his cherry orchard. |
| The stash of more than 4,000 bronze and silver coins is believed to have been buried some 1,700 years ago. | The stash of more than 4,000 bronze and silver coins is believed to have been buried some 1,700 years ago. |
| Weighing around 15kg (33lb), he discovered the coins after spotting something shimmering in a molehill. | Weighing around 15kg (33lb), he discovered the coins after spotting something shimmering in a molehill. |
| The regional archaeological service said the coin trove was one of the biggest such finds in Swiss history. | The regional archaeological service said the coin trove was one of the biggest such finds in Swiss history. |
| The trove was unearthed in July in Ueken in the northern canton of Aargau. | The trove was unearthed in July in Ueken in the northern canton of Aargau. |
| Since a Roman settlement was discovered in the nearby town of Frick, just a few months before, he suspected the coins might be of Roman origin. | |
| The farmer contacted the regional archaeological service who, after months of careful excavation, announced on Thursday that 4,166 coins had been found in excellent condition. | The farmer contacted the regional archaeological service who, after months of careful excavation, announced on Thursday that 4,166 coins had been found in excellent condition. |
| Some of the coins date from AD 274 and the rule of Emperor Aurelian. The find also included coins from the time of Emperor Maximan in 294. | Some of the coins date from AD 274 and the rule of Emperor Aurelian. The find also included coins from the time of Emperor Maximan in 294. |
| Swiss archaeologist Georg Matter, who worked on the excavation, said what they found within the first three days "exceeded all expectations by far". | Swiss archaeologist Georg Matter, who worked on the excavation, said what they found within the first three days "exceeded all expectations by far". |
| "As an archaeologist one rarely experiences something like this more than once in your career," he told Spiegel Online. | "As an archaeologist one rarely experiences something like this more than once in your career," he told Spiegel Online. |
| Coin expert Hugo Doppler said the coins were in such good condition it was clear they "were taken out of circulation right after they were minted." | Coin expert Hugo Doppler said the coins were in such good condition it was clear they "were taken out of circulation right after they were minted." |
| He believes the owners hoarded the coins because "the silver contained in them guaranteed a certain value retention in a time of economic uncertainty." |