Tens of Thousands of Ancient Coins Have Been Found Off Sardinia. They May Be Spoils of a Shipwreck

A picture made available by the Italian Culture Minister showing some of the discovered ancient bronze coins, on Nov. 4, 2023. Italian Culture Ministry Via AP

ROME—A diver who spotted something metallic not far from Sardinia’s coast has led to the discovery of tens of thousands of ancient bronze coins.

Italy’s culture ministry said Saturday that the diver alerted authorities, who sent divers assigned to an art protection squad along with others from the ministry’s undersea archaeology department.