A Romanian metal detectorist has uncovered a vast hoard of ancient Roman silver coins near the village of Letca Veche, about 25 miles southwest of Bucharest.

The coins feature images of Nero, Marcus Aurelius, seven other Roman emperors, and two impresses. Credit: Marius Mangeac / Facebook

Marius Mangeac, who regularly goes out with his metal detector for relaxation and exercise, stumbled upon the treasure accidentally. “On a beautiful Saturday, I took my detector and went out alone, as I often do,” he wrote on Facebook. “I did not expect this day to surprise me.”

He discovered an amazing 1,469 Roman silver denarii—coins he estimates are nearly 2,000 years old. The coins date from Emperor Nero’s time in CE 54 through to that of Marcus Aurelius in CE 161 and feature the images of 11 different emperors and empresses.

The evidence at the site suggests that the coins were buried inside a ceramic vessel, which had been broken. It is believed that the vessel may have been smashed in an intentional act before it was buried, something which is not uncommon in history. Ceramics were found smashed alongside the coins as evidence of their intentional interment.

Marcus Aurelius Denarius, CE 161-180. Credit: Classical Numismatic Group, Inc, CC BY-SA 2.5

After two days of taking pictures of the coins, Mangeac followed Romanian legal protocol and reported the find to the town hall of Letca Nouă. Police officials documented the site, which will be secured for future archaeological study.

The hoard has since been inventoried and will be transferred to the County Directorate for Culture. It will then be evaluated and ultimately housed at the Teohari Antonescu County Museum in Giurgiu for public display.

Experts have noted that it represents one of the largest Roman coin hoards ever discovered in Romania.

Under Romanian law, metal detectorists who report valuable finds are enтιтled to a reward of up to 45% of the hoard’s estimated value.