As 2025 comes to a close, the world of archaeology celebrates a remarkable year filled with discoveries that glitter—literally. From ancient coins and royal jewelry to long-lost shipwrecks and Bronze Age treasures, this year has been particularly rich in finds involving gold and silver. These discoveries span continents and millennia, offering not only material splendor but deep insights into human history, economy, and culture. In this special year-end article, we highlight the most significant gold and silver archaeological discoveries of 2025, examining the historical contexts, the technological methods that made them possible, and what they tell us about the people of the past.

Treasures from the San José Galleon (Colombia, 1708 shipwreck)

Location: Off the coast of Cartagena, Colombia Era: Early 18th century (1708) Artifacts: Gold coins, bronze cannon, porcelain cup

The legendary Spanish galleon San José, dubbed the "holy grail of shipwrecks," yielded its first artifacts in over three centuries. In November 2025, Colombian authorities recovered several extraordinary items from the wreck, including shimmering gold coins, a remarkably preserved bronze cannon, and a delicate porcelain cup, all pulled from 600 meters below the Caribbean Sea. These are believed to be just the beginning of a trove that may contain up to 11 million gold and silver coins, along with emeralds and other treasures originally destined to fund Spain's campaign in the War of Spanish Succession. The San José was part of the Spanish treasure fleet sunk by the British in 1708, and its riches have been the subject of international intrigue for decades.

The recovery was made possible through a meticulous scientific approach utilizing advanced marine robotics. A state-of-the-art remotely operated vehicle (ROV) descended into the deep waters to delicately extract the artifacts from the wreckage. The use of robotic arms allowed for precision collection of not only the coins and cannon but also wooden and textile fragments that will undergo further conservation and study. This carefully controlled operation marked a significant step in preserving archaeological integrity while setting the stage for a broader excavation campaign in the years to come.

Salvaging the 1715 Spanish Treasure Fleet (Florida, USA)

Location: Florida's east coast, USA Era: Early 18th century (1715) Artifacts: Over 1,000 silver reales, 5 gold escudos

Off the coast of Florida, a newly authorized salvage team struck silver, literally, when they uncovered more than 1,000 silver coins and five gold escudos from the infamous 1715 Treasure Fleet. This fleet, consisting of 12 Spanish ships, was caught in a devastating hurricane while returning to Spain laden with riches from the Americas. The coins, known as reales or "pieces of eight," were minted in colonial territories such as Mexico, Peru, and Bolivia. Some of them still bear mint marks and dates, offering invaluable clues about their origins and transport. The discovery represents one of the richest hauls from the fleet in recent years.

The find was achieved through a combination of traditional diving techniques and modern metal detection. Working in shallow waters, divers from the company 1715 Fleet – Queens Jewels, LLC methodically scanned the ocean floor, zeroing in on hotspots identified by magnetometers and detectors. The coins were found clustered together, suggesting they were part of a single shipment that had been quickly buried under sand following the storm. Florida's strict heritage laws ensured that the find was documented and will be displayed in museums for public education.

Roman Coin "Piggy Banks" at Senon (France)

Location: Senon, northeastern France Era: Late 3rd century A.D. Artifacts: Over 40,000 radiate antoniniani coins

During a preventive archaeological dig in the small village of Senon, France, researchers uncovered a spectacular hoard of Roman coins stored in three ceramic amphorae. These vessels, concealed beneath the floor of a 4th-century Roman house, held an estimated 40,000 bronze coins with a thin silver coating known as radiate antoniniani. The coins date primarily to the Gallic Empire era, with emperors such as Victorinus, Tetricus I, and Tetricus II prominently featured. The find stands out not only for its volume but for its location, suggesting a well-thought-out storage system rather than a hurried burial.

The discovery was made during a routine rescue excavation by France's National Institute for Preventive Archaeological Research (INRAP). Archaeologists first detected coins in loose soil before realizing they were part of larger buried vessels. Special care was taken to excavate the heavy, fragile amphorae intact. Metal detectors and stratigraphic mapping were employed to document the precise positions of the coins and pottery. Experts believe these were the deliberate savings of a wealthy household rather than a war-time cache, offering a rare look into personal wealth management during a volatile historical period.

Late Bronze Age Gold Bracelets in Gorj (Romania)

Location: Gorj County, Romania Era: c. 1300 B.C. Artifacts: Four solid gold bracelets (36g total)

In the forested hills of Gorj County, Romania, a local metal detector enthusiast unearthed four exquisite gold bracelets dating back over 3,000 years. Weighing a combined 36 grams, the bracelets are finely crafted, with simple yet elegant designs characteristic of late Bronze Age Thracian culture. Their small size and stylistic features suggest they were likely worn by a high-status individual, perhaps as ceremonial adornments or as wealth reserves in wearable form.

The discovery was made by George Ȗtefan Andreescu, who followed Romanian law by immediately reporting the find to authorities. The bracelets were turned over to the Alexandru Ȗtefulescu County Museum, where they were authenticated and studied. No signs of a burial or structure were found nearby, indicating these items were possibly buried intentionally or lost. Their excellent preservation highlights the importance of metal detecting when done responsibly, especially in regions with rich but underexplored prehistoric layers.

Byzantine Gold Coins and Jewelry at Hippos (Israel)

Location: Hippos/Sussita, Sea of Galilee, Israel Era: Early 7th century A.D. Artifacts: 97 gold solidi, jewelry with pearls and gems

On a scenic hill overlooking the Sea of Galilee, a treasure trove from the twilight of the Byzantine Empire came to light. The find consisted of 97 gold solidus coins, several adorned pieces of jewelry featuring pearls and semi-precious stones, and remnants of fabric that once held the collection. The coins date to the reigns of Justin I through Heraclius, with one rare tremissis minted in Cyprus by Heraclius and his father, hinting at the chaos of the early 7th century. This discovery represents one of the largest and most diverse Byzantine hoards ever found in Israel.

Volunteer Edie Lipsman detected the treasure using a metal detector during a licensed dig. Once alerted, the excavation team from the University of Haifa performed a thorough, context-sensitive dig. The soil layers and findspot were mapped precisely. The coins were still wrapped in textile and possibly buried during the Sasanian Persian invasion of 614 A.D., offering a poignant snapshot of a city's desperate effort to safeguard its wealth before disaster struck.

Burnt Roman-Era Treasure in Histria (Romania)

Location: Histria, Black Sea coast, Romania Era: 2nd–3rd century A.D. Artifacts: Over 40 coins, gold and silver ornaments

In the ruins of a grand Roman villa in Histria, archaeologists found the charred remnants of a treasure chest that had been destroyed by fire nearly 2,000 years ago. The box held over 40 coins and multiple gold and silver items that fused together from the intense heat. The fire preserved the spatial arrangement of the contents, effectively sealing them in a moment of catastrophe. The discovery provides compelling evidence of violent events that may have marked the decline of Roman control in the region.

The excavation, led by Romania's National History Museum, involved careful extraction of the fused artifact block. Using small brushes, stabilizing agents, and laboratory imaging techniques such as X-ray scanning, the team preserved the object's structural integrity. The find illustrates how destructive episodes can create archaeological time capsules, preserving artifacts that would otherwise have been lost or scattered.

Massive Medieval Silver Hoard in Sweden

Location: Village near Stockholm, Sweden Era: Late 12th century A.D. Artifacts: Up to 20,000 silver coins, jewelry, beads, rings

A buried copper cauldron containing what may be up to 20,000 medieval silver coins and dozens of pieces of jewelry was found by accident in a residential garden outside Stockholm. The coins, many of which bear the name of King Knut Eriksson, represent a complex snapshot of 12th-century Swedish minting and monetary circulation. Mixed in were rings, pendants, and beads, suggesting the hoard was the property of a wealthy merchant or noble.

After the finder reported the discovery, Swedish archaeologists performed a full excavation. The cauldron had deteriorated, but the bundle remained intact, wrapped in textile and lead. Specialists used digital imaging to analyze the hoard without damaging it. The coins are now undergoing cataloging and conservation, with some rare mints helping to redraw the map of medieval Swedish economy.

Celtic Gold and Silver Trove in Bohemia (Czech Republic)

Location: Pilsen region, Czech Republic Era: 3rd–1st century B.C. Artifacts: Gold and silver Celtic coins, gold jewelry, bronze items

At a site thought to be a Celtic marketplace or sanctuary in western Bohemia, archaeologists uncovered hundreds of gold and silver coins, along with gold torcs, rings, ingots, and bronze decorative objects. The coins display intricate animal motifs and previously unknown mint marks, revealing a sophisticated and widespread economic network in pre-Roman Central Europe.

The multi-season excavation was carefully planned to rescue artifacts threatened by agricultural and illicit activity. Experts used GIS mapping, drone surveys, and coordinated metal detection to locate artifacts. The site has been kept confidential to prevent looting. The diversity and quantity of the items found mark this as one of the most significant Celtic discoveries in recent years.

Rare Gold Coin of Queen Berenice II in Jerusalem (Israel)

Location: City of David, Jerusalem, Israel Era: 246–241 B.C. Artifacts: Gold quarter-drachma of Berenice II

An extremely rare gold coin bearing the portrait of Queen Berenice II of Egypt was discovered in a soil sifting station at Jerusalem’s City of David. Likely minted in Alexandria during the reign of Ptolemy III, the coin includes the queen’s image and a cornucopia with her name in Greek. Only 17 such coins are known to exist, and this is the first found in a controlled dig outside Egypt.

The discovery came from careful soil screening, a technique used to catch minute artifacts missed during standard excavation. The coin’s pristine condition and precise context will help historians understand connections between Jerusalem and the Ptolemaic world, possibly through trade or military service.

Anglo-Saxon Era Coin Hoard in Suffolk (England)

Location: Sizewell, Suffolk, UK Era: c. 1042–1043 A.D. Artifacts: 321 silver pennies and half-pennies, wrapped in lead and cloth

During construction at the future Sizewell C nuclear plant, a tightly packed hoard of Anglo-Saxon coins was discovered. The 321 coins, primarily silver pennies of Harold I, Harthacnut, and Edward the Confessor, were found in mint condition, suggesting the hoard was buried very soon after being assembled. The lead-wrapped bundle, nicknamed "The Pasty," was carefully preserved and studied.

Archaeologists from Oxford Cotswold Archaeology conducted the excavation and used X-ray scans to analyze the hoard before opening it. Cloth fibers were still visible between the coins. The find offers a snapshot of personal wealth during a time of political transition and upheaval, likely hidden due to fears during regime change.

Looking Ahead to 2026

Technological advances, especially in underwater robotics, metal detection, and digital archaeology, have played a pivotal role in revealing these buried treasures. As techniques continue to evolve and access to previously unreachable sites expands, we can look forward to 2026 with excitement. Whether in the depths of the sea, beneath ancient cities, or in quiet countryside fields, the next glint of history is never far away.