Last updated: 2026-08-28 · Published: 2026-08-28
An off-duty diver discovered tens of thousands of late Roman bronze coins off the coast of Sardinia, Italy, in what cultural officials are calling one of the most important numismatic finds in recent years. The hoard, found in a shallow area near Arzachena, dates to roughly 324-345 CE and may point toward a previously undiscovered shipwreck.
Working with salvage teams and the Italian authorities, the recovery effort pulled a remarkable trove from the seabed in exceptional condition. Public reporting puts the number of coins at more than 30,000, with some estimates reaching as high as 50,000.
Key facts at a glance
| Location | Shallow seabed near Arzachena, Sardinia, Italy |
| Discovered | May 25, 2023, by an off-duty diver |
| Coins | Late Roman bronze folles; at least 30,000, possibly up to 50,000 |
| Date range | Roughly 324 to 345 CE |
| Condition | Described as an excellent and rare state of preservation |
| Shipwreck | Hypothesis only; amphorae fragments support it but nothing confirmed |
| Legal | A Jan. 5, 2026 court ruling rejected the finder’s reward claim |
The discovery
On May 25, 2023, a diver swimming off Sardinia near Arzachena noticed something metallic in the seagrass. That first object led investigators to a much larger cache spread across two wide areas of the seafloor between the beach and the seagrass. Italy’s culture ministry estimated the total at more than 30,000 coins, with a working figure of roughly 40,000 and a possible range up to 50,000.
The coins are folles, bronze and copper pieces used first by the Romans and later by the Byzantine Empire. Archaeologists have described their preservation as “excellent and rare.” A studied sample dates the hoard from 324 to no later than 345 CE, during the period of the Constantine dynasty and its successors.
Why a shipwreck is suspected
Alongside the coins, divers recovered fragments of narrow-necked amphorae, two-handled storage vessels commonly carried on ancient trading ships. The combination of coins spread over two areas, plus transport amphorae in the water, fits the pattern of a cargo lost at sea. That has led researchers to treat an undiscovered shipwreck as a real possibility.
Official statements have been careful not to overstate the case. The ministry’s original statement treated a wreck as a possibility rather than a fact, and no final archaeological interpretation has been published that formally confirms one.
Recovery and the legal fight
The finder alerted authorities, and a coordinated operation involving Italy’s art-protection police, the ministry’s underwater archaeology office, firefighters and border police carried out the recovery. The case later reached an administrative court. In a Jan. 5, 2026 decision, TAR Sardegna rejected the diver’s claim for a statutory reward, ruling that the discovery was not fortuitous because a metal detector was used and the area had already been identified as archaeologically significant.
Luigi La Rocca, director general of archaeology, fine arts and landscape for the region, said the treasure represents “one of the most important discoveries of numismatic finds in recent years,” adding that the finding shows the archaeological heritage the seabed “still guards and preserves.”
Where the coins may go
Reporting from a December 2023 presentation said part of the cleaned and cataloged material was expected to be assigned to Arzachena’s civic museum. As of May 2026, the hoard was not yet on public display, and there was no public confirmation that the transfer had taken place.
Video: What the footage shows
Diver Finds Millions in Ancient Roman Coins – Shipwreck Treasure Discovered Off Sardinia
A news recap breaks down the Sardinia discovery, detailing the 30,000-plus fourth-century bronze coins, the diver’s find and the possibility that the hoard came from a cargo lost at sea.
Remarkable Discovery: Thousands of Ancient Roman Coins Unearthed in Sardinia’s Waters
A short report explains that a member of the public discovered more than 30,000 large bronze coins from the fourth century AD during a dive off the coast of Sardinia, and that the find suggests the presence of a shipwreck.
Confirmed vs. speculation
| Confirmed | Not confirmed |
|---|---|
| More than 30,000 Roman folles coins were recovered off Sardinia near Arzachena | The final, exact total number of coins (could be up to 50,000) |
| The coins date to roughly 324-345 CE | That the hoard came from a shipwreck |
| Amphorae fragments were found alongside the coins | The identity or fate of the vessel, if one existed |
| A court rejected the finder’s statutory reward claim | When the hoard will be displayed publicly |
Note: The popular “Andros, Greece” framing attached to some versions of this trend is inaccurate. The discovery took place off Sardinia, Italy, near Arzachena, and reporting consistently places it there.
Frequently asked questions
Where were the Roman coins found?
The coins were found in shallow water off the coast of Sardinia, Italy, near the town of Arzachena.
How many coins were discovered?
More than 30,000, with some estimates reaching as high as 50,000.
How old are the coins?
The hoard dates to roughly 324 to 345 CE and consists of late Roman bronze folles.
Is there actually a shipwreck?
Not confirmed. Amphorae fragments and the coins’ spread across the seafloor support the hypothesis, but officials have not confirmed a wreck.
Who found the coins?
An off-duty diver discovered the first coins on May 25, 2023, and authorities then led the full recovery.
Why was the finder denied a reward?
A court ruled in January 2026 that the discovery was not fortuitous, noting the use of a metal detector and prior knowledge that the area could be archaeologically significant.
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Sources
- Popular Mechanics
- CBS News
- CNN
- Business Insider
- Smithsonian Magazine
- Live Science
- The Times of India
- Divernet
