Hoard of five Roman Republican silver denarii

A rare hoard of five Roman Republican silver denarii was uncovered near Halle (Saale) in Saxony-Anhalt, Germany in 2025. One coin dates to 148 BC, and the other four were minted between 82 and 79 BC. Heavy wear indicates the silver coins were in circulation before being buried. Because no imperial-era coins were present, researchers believe the small cache arrived in the region around the turn of the millennium or shortly after. The coins were kept together in a small pouch that was eventually scattered by farming. Found well outside the borders of the Roman Empire, the silver likely arrived via trade. Three of the five coins are serrated denarii, known as serrati, with saw-like edges. Two of those carry scratched graffiti.

People living in what is now Saxony-Anhalt didn't use coins as everyday money. The silver denarii likely served as prized objects and a store of wealth. The coins could have reached the area through trade, diplomatic gifts, payments, exchanges between Germanic groups, or Roman military campaigns. Earlier archaeological work has linked Roman expeditions led by Drusus, Ahenobarbus, and the future Emperor Tiberius to central Germany. Roman marching camps have also been identified in the region.