GOLD HOARD IN ROME

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18063, 13 April 1933, Page 9

GOLD HOARD IN ROME

£15,000 IN COINS & RINGS POUND IN OLD HOUSE ROME, Feb. 24. One of the most remarkable cases of the discovery of treasure has occurred in Rome. While men were destroying an old house in the Via dell’ linpero, they came across a pot filled with gold coins and ornaments, walled up in one of the rooms. The treasure weighs about 401 b, and is valued at £15,000. A further cache containing 50 pieces of silver and several ancient coins was found late this afternoon.

Rings set with precious stones wore found to bo wrapped in a newspaper dated 1888. The coins bear the effigies of the Emperors Augustus, Nero, and Trajan. Senator Ricci, the archaeologist, had no difficulty in identifying them as being very rare. Examples of Byzantine coins were wrapped apart. Another little parcel contained gold pieces with the effigies of Julius 11, Philip 111, Philip IV, Napoleon 111, Pius IX, Leopold I of Tuscany, and King Humbert, father of the present King of Italy. Seventytwo out of more than 100 rings arc of old workmanship, and some are set with rare cameos.

The house stood empty for some time, but old people who once lived near remember that an antiquarian named Martinctti lived in that very room some 50 or GO years ago with his wife and niece. The niece is still living, but her whereabouts are not known. Martinctti used to state that his house contained treasure. But, though his widow made a thorough search after his death, she fmind nothing. One packet bear*! a label with the words, “Bombolli’s Bank,” printed o*ll it. A private bank of that name is still remembered.

Unless sonm person can mnke good their claim the whole treasure will pass to the Italian State.