Nearly 50 bronze coins from 1700 years ago were discovered by Poznań archaeologists during excavations at the Legionnaires’ camp in Novae in northern Bulgaria. Scientists speculate that the treasure was hidden by one of the Roman soldiers because the coins were found in legionary barracks.

The treasure was hidden in the barracks wall in a wooden box. A significant part of the discovered coins were minted during the times of Emperor Licinius I (308-324). Earlier, only six coins of this ruler were found in Novae. The most discovered coins of Licinius I were minted in the years 312-315.

Shortly after 315 the first military confrontations took place between Licinius I – ruler of the eastern part of the Roman empire and Constantine I, who ruled its western part. After the defeat at the Battle of Adrianopoly in 324, Licinius was imprisoned in Thessaloniki and then strangled.