Two metal detectorists have made what is being hailed as one of the most significant archaeological discoveries of the year. While on what started as a simple search for a lost tractor key, Gert-Jan Messelaar and Reinier Koelink uncovered 404 ancient coins near the village of Bunnik, located within the historic boundaries of the northern edge of the Roman Empire.
This remarkable find, which includes gold and silver coins of Roman, British, and North African origins, is unprecedented for the European continent and offers new insights about the interaction between the Roman Empire and its neighboring regions. The discovery took place during the summer of 2023, when the two men, initially searching for the key on behalf of a local farmer, decided to venture to the nearby field where they had previously found coins.
According to local reports, it was Koelink who first struck gold—literally—unearthed from the mud was the largest and first Celtic coin of its kind found. Encouraged by this unexpected discovery, the duo pressed on, eventually realizing their metal detectors were signaling even louder. “Bingo,” Messelaar recalls his excitement after sticking his hand deep within the earth to unearth what turned out to be hundreds of coins wrapped together.
The thrill didn’t end there. After the initial haul of 381 coins, cultural heritage experts conducted additional excavations at the site to thoroughly comb through the area for possible remaining artifacts. This collaborative effort led to 23 more coins being discovered, bringing the final count to 404 coins, creating what is now considered one of the largest collections of Roman-era coins ever found in this part of Europe.
Many of these coins date back to between 200 B.C.E. and 47 C.E., with 360 identified as Roman. Among them are 288 denarii, which were the standard silver coins used throughout the Roman Empire, alongside 72 aurei, denser golden coins originally valued at 25 denarii. Notably, one of the coins bears the likeness of Julius Caesar—an extraordinary find when considering the historical value.
Another key aspect of this discovery lies among the non-Roman coins, as 44 of these were inscribed with the name of Cunobelin, the King of the Britons. This collection, known as staters, provides compelling evidence of economic ties and military engagements between Roman forces and local leaders during territorial expansions. The presence of such diverse coins suggests this treasure-stash may have been looted during or shortly after military campaigns—particularly during the conquest of Britain.
Archaeologists, including Anton Cruysheer from the Utrecht Landscape and Heritage Foundation, believe the eclectic nature of this hoard strongly reflects the spoils of war. The state of preservation suggests the coins were likely buried together shortly after their acquisition. “This is the first time physical evidence of the return of the troops has been found,” Cruysheer commented, emphasizing the historical significance of this discovery.
Not only do these coins reflect the wealth and culture of the Roman Empire, but they also serve as physical testimony to the historical conflict and cooperation between Roman troops and the local Celtic tribes during the conquest of Britain, which Aulus Plautius led after Emperor Claudius ordered the invasion around 43 C.E.
Now, these remarkable artifacts have been entrusted to the National Museum of Antiquities in Leiden, where they will become part of the permanent exhibition titled, “The Netherlands in Roman Times.” This display aims to showcase the region’s rich Roman history and the interactions between the empire and its various territories.
Messelaar and Koelink, pleased with their serendipitous find, marked their success with celebration. “We opened a bottle of champagne,” Messelaar recounted, highlighting the extraordinary nature of their undertaking. “You never find this.”
This recent discovery not only enhances our knowledge of Roman history but also presents the thrill of archaeology—in which every dig can potentially lead to new understandings of the past. With the coins’ rich history, the story behind their find reflects the layered complexity of shifts within power, trade, and cultural exchanges during one of history’s pivotal eras.