Near Vancouver’s Pacific Spirit Park, about 15 centimetres beneath the Earth’s surface, metal detectorist Chris Monk unknowingly found a nearly 1,900-year-old Roman coin.
After uncovering the understandably dirty coin this February, he brought it home to clean, photograph and research it, according to a Feb. 28 report from CTV News.
With the help of an online metal-detecting forum, Monk learned it was an ancient bronze coin dating “back to before the middle ages, and when you think about the journey it’s taken to end up in my hand, that’s something quite spectacular,” he told CTV.
Paul Anderson, of the Vancouver Ancient Coin Club, told CTV the coin can be dated to 140 AD-144 AD, during the reign of emperor Antoninus Pius. The most common bronze denomination in the second century, it was a quarter of a silver denarius – “a day’s wage for a Legionary soldier or tradesperson,” Anderson added.
Monk plans to keep the coin after having it certified, the CTV report added.
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The discovery of a 1,900-year-old ancient coin in Vancouver is an exciting find that adds a fascinating chapter to the region’s archaeological narrative. This remarkable artifact not only highlights the rich history of coinage but also raises intriguing questions about trade and cultural exchange in ancient times. Such discoveries remind us of the deep historical connections that can exist even in places where we might least expect them. This coin will likely provide valuable insights for researchers and historians, enriching our understanding of the past and its impact on the present. It’s a thrilling moment for both local history enthusiasts and the broader archaeological community!