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Rare Roman gold coins discovered in Luxembourg
Popular Science ^ | January 14, 2025 | Laura Baisas

Posted on 02/06/2026 8:24:52 AM PST by SunkenCiv

Eight emperors are shown on the coins. However, three of the coins featured an unexpected ruler -- Eugenius, who only ruled the Western Roman Empire from 392 to 394 CE. Eugenius came to power partially due to the support of a powerful general Arbogast. Arbogast was a Frank -- the Germanic-speaking peoples who invaded the Western Roman Empire during the Fifth Century.

When Christianity was becoming increasingly dominant in the Roman Empire, Eugenius attempted to restore pagan practices and traditions. His brief reign was marked by conflict and political instability. Eugenius primary opponent -- Eastern Roman Emperor Theodosius I -- eventually defeated Eugenius during the Battle of the Frigidus in 394 AD. Eugenis was then executed and Christian authority in the empire began to consolidate...

The gold solidi -- the Latin word for gold coins like these -- were uncovered in the ruins of a Roman fort in the village of Holzthum during excavations from 2020 to 2024. The find was kept secret for almost four years. Additionally, the Luxembourg Army Mine Action Service helped with the dig due to the danger posed from several World War II-era explosives and munitions that are buried nearby.

The coins are said to be in excellent conditions and have an estimated value of roughly $322,000 (308,600 Euros). In accordance with the legal provisions on cultural heritage in Luxembourg, "this sum is reserved for those who have legal rights, such as property holders, over the find."

The excavation also uncovered the remains of a small fortified observational tower. These watchtowers were commonly built along the Roman Empire's Germanic borders during the 4th Century. There were also several graves surrounding it.

(Excerpt) Read more at popsci.com ...


TOPICS: History; Science; Travel
KEYWORDS: arbogast; coins; epigraphyandlanguage; eugenius; godsgravesglyphs; romanempire; theodosiusi
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To: alternatives?
They should make pennies out of cardboard.

Well, if you want pennies to be undesirable then make them out of toe nail clippings.

21 posted on 02/06/2026 10:24:35 AM PST by MtnClimber (For photos of scenery, wildlife and climbing, click on my screen name for my FR home page.)
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To: Larry Lucido

You genius!


22 posted on 02/06/2026 10:42:04 AM PST by SunkenCiv (TDS -- it's not just for DNC shills anymore -- oh, wait, yeah it is.)
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To: Opinionated Blowhard

Not only that, a new, previously unknown emperor was found on a coin recently.


23 posted on 02/06/2026 10:43:32 AM PST by ProtectOurFreedom
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To: Opinionated Blowhard
Roman coins were a big hit in India, such that they counterfeited them to satisfy the need to support commerce.
The full ancient coins selections from the "coins" keyword was way too large, but sticking with the Far East:

24 posted on 02/06/2026 10:48:03 AM PST by SunkenCiv (TDS -- it's not just for DNC shills anymore -- oh, wait, yeah it is.)
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To: MtnClimber; alternatives?

25 posted on 02/06/2026 10:54:47 AM PST by SunkenCiv (TDS -- it's not just for DNC shills anymore -- oh, wait, yeah it is.)
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To: ComputerGuy

Hey, stop it, I’m not proud of my man boobs.


26 posted on 02/06/2026 10:55:52 AM PST by SunkenCiv (TDS -- it's not just for DNC shills anymore -- oh, wait, yeah it is.)
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To: webheart

I’d guess he was great at that wall-climbing exercise in gym glass.


27 posted on 02/06/2026 10:58:04 AM PST by SunkenCiv (TDS -- it's not just for DNC shills anymore -- oh, wait, yeah it is.)
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To: Leaning Right; ComputerGuy
The politics are the fuss thing I check out every morning.

28 posted on 02/06/2026 10:59:06 AM PST by SunkenCiv (TDS -- it's not just for DNC shills anymore -- oh, wait, yeah it is.)
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To: Freedumb

There is a reason we have the phrase “As good as gold!”.
————-
The Bitcoiners phrase in the past…..not so much now. There is no substitution for Gold, 5,000 years of Wealth and counting.


29 posted on 02/06/2026 11:46:48 AM PST by delta7
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To: SunkenCiv

We can get politics anywhere. Just sayin’.


30 posted on 02/06/2026 12:23:17 PM PST by ComputerGuy
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To: webheart

Fred Arbogast was the manufacturer of some of the most famous bass lures ever.


31 posted on 02/06/2026 1:04:59 PM PST by Migraine
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To: SunkenCiv
With all of these caches of Roman coins being found, it makes one wonder if the ordinary Roman citizens were fearful of their rulers and hid their wealth wherever they could?

-PJ

32 posted on 02/06/2026 1:10:52 PM PST by Political Junkie Too ( * LAAP = Left-wing Activist Agitprop Press (formerly known as the MSM))
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To: ComputerGuy

Too much usually.


33 posted on 02/06/2026 1:20:52 PM PST by SunkenCiv (TDS -- it's not just for DNC shills anymore -- oh, wait, yeah it is.)
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To: Political Junkie Too

The Roman Empire didn’t have banks, so everyone stashed their own money in, for example, a jar buried in their home or business (and those were often the same structure). When larger caches are found, the site doesn’t always get further excavation, but it will prove to be a former ancient building of some sort.


34 posted on 02/06/2026 1:24:30 PM PST by SunkenCiv (TDS -- it's not just for DNC shills anymore -- oh, wait, yeah it is.)
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To: Political Junkie Too

it makes one wonder if the ordinary Roman citizens were fearful of their rulers and hid their wealth wherever they could?


Invaders AND more importantly rulers. Emperor Severus in 223 AD started executing a good number of the Roman senators, then started mis treating his military which was the end of him.


35 posted on 02/06/2026 1:25:44 PM PST by delta7
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To: delta7

“Septimius Severus (born April 11, 145/146, Leptis Magna, Tripolitania [now in Libya]—died Feb. 4, 211, Eboracum, Britain [now York, Eng.]) was a Roman emperor from 193 to 211. He founded a personal dynasty and converted the government into a military monarchy. His reign marks a critical stage in the development of the absolute despotism that characterized the later Roman Empire.”

https://www.britannica.com/biography/Septimius-Severus


36 posted on 02/06/2026 1:31:20 PM PST by delta7
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To: delta7; Political Junkie Too

No he didn’t.

[snip] To secure their loyalty, Severus significantly increased soldiers’ pay—raising it from 300 to 500 denarii annually—and introduced the annona militaris, a tax that provided soldiers with food, clothing, and equipment, effectively boosting their real income. He also granted soldiers the right to marry, a major change that stabilized military families and deepened their allegiance. [/snip]


37 posted on 02/06/2026 1:31:56 PM PST by SunkenCiv (TDS -- it's not just for DNC shills anymore -- oh, wait, yeah it is.)
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To: SunkenCiv

Not worth arguing, checking with Wiki, Britannica, etc all have different commentaries.


38 posted on 02/06/2026 1:36:46 PM PST by delta7
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To: delta7

Here is more favorable article about Severus.

https://www.magellantv.com/articles/septimius-severus-the-first-north-african-to-rule-rome

Septimius Severus: The First North African to Rule Rome

In any case, the long history of Roman rulers “ iron hand” ( and debasement of the Silver Denarius) would no doubt cause concern for the ruled.


39 posted on 02/06/2026 1:47:09 PM PST by delta7
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