The diver spotted some “metal remains” in shallow water near the town of Arzachena, the ministry said in a statement Saturday. These turned out to be “follis”—Roman bronze or copper coins also later used as Byzantine currency. Italian Ministry of CultureBased on their weight, the total number of coins in the find is estimated to be between 30,000 and 50,000, the ministry said. According to the statement, the coins date from 324 to 340 CE and were produced by mints across the Roman empire. Italian Ministry of CultureThe culture ministry said the location where the coins were found—a sandy clearing between the beach and an area of seagrass—could, theoretically, preserve a shipwreck.

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Persons: Luigi La Rocca, ” La Rocca Organizations: CNN, Italian Ministry of Culture, Ministry of Locations: Sardinia, Italy, Arzachena, Seaton , United Kingdom