The discovery took place on the coast of Arzachena, a city located in the northeast of the island of Sardinia. It was shallow, not far from it. This group notified the authorities of the incident the following day. Experts from the Superintendency of Archeology and the Carabineros went to the site and found a large number of bronze coins distributed in two piles.
The Italian Ministry of Culture reported the discovery and has estimated the number of specimens around this figure. This has surpassed the 22,888 follis found in 2013 in Devon (United Kingdom) by Laurence Egerton a few hundred from a Roman villa and a military fortress from the 2nd and 3rd centuries.
The pieces were the well-known follis, introduced in 294 AD. through a monetary reform promulgated by the then Emperor Diocletian. Culture has highlighted the "exceptional and unusual" state of conservation in which they have been found. Adding that even the few damaged coins can perfectly read the inscriptions.
The coins were minted between 324 and 340 AD. when effigies of Constantine the Great and his sons were found as Caesars. This conclusion has been reached by not appearing centennials, which began to circulate from 346 AD.
The ministry has explained that “the restoration and conservation operations of the coins and materials found will allow us to expand and deepen our knowledge of the context of the finds from which much information can still be extracted.”
The head of the Italian Archeology Directorate, Luigi La Roca, has described it as the great discovery of recent years. Apart from that "it once again highlights the richness and importance of the archaeological heritage that our seas hide."
