Three rare 4th century. Aquileia’s Discovery of Gold Coins – History

Three rare solid pieces of gold struck by three different fourth-century Roman emperors have been found in Aquileia in northeastern Italy. These coins are very rare and were most likely not circulating coins but medals given by the emperor to his favorites during celebrations.

A team of archaeologists and students from the University of Verona excavated the site of the Fondo ex Pasqualis, a market complex on the southeastern edge of the city. They uncovered more than 8,600 square feet in three months, all of which had never been excavated before.

The coins were found under the porch floor of a building in the market. They were minted at the Imperial Mint in Constantinople by Emperors Valens (364-378 AD), Magnus Maximus (383-388 AD) and Arcadius (383-408 AD).

Excavations in 2025 also uncovered a row of 19 amphorae embedded in the soil. Excavations in 2024 uncovered a similar set of 23 amphorae, which appear not to have been used to store or move goods, but to enhance drainage and stabilize and consolidate soil beneath a long, narrow structure believed to be a warehouse.

These were most likely storage structures associated with the first river docks discovered in the area, which were part of a much wider river than today. These findings indicate that the southern area of ​​the city, whose function was unknown prior to our excavations, also contained a series of landing sites and docks for goods arriving from the sea via the river. It can therefore be inferred that the city’s river port was larger than the well-known western area, extending southward along the Natissa River and also including buildings for the storage of goods.

Excavations in 2025 also unearthed an entire cobbled street that branched off from the main road and ran between two of six large buildings where food was stored and sold. The wheel marks left by transport vehicles from 1700 years ago are still clearly visible on the street surface.