Exhibition text: Late Iron Age

Imprecise finding place (Ernei commune, Mureș County) 
Second Iron Age – Geto-Dacian culture – Mid 1st century BC. 
MJMS no. inv. 16568/1-2, 39-41, 43-45, 49-52. 

The hoard was found by chance on the village’s territory on forested terrain in 2018. The hoard was unearthed during legal metal detecting activities. No further information is recorded about the precise location and the conditions of the finding. The hoard consisted of 64 artefacts, from which three are of gold and 61 of silver artefacts. The hoard is made up from several torques, chains, bracelets, fibulae and links, all in silver, as well as of three gold pendants in shape of perfume flask. 

The hoard from Sângeru de Pădure represents an exceptionally important find, containing both silver and gold items. It is one the most important late First Iron Age hoards, so far, found on the territory of eastern Transylvania. Undoubtedly the most fascinating artefacts from the hoard of Sângeru de Pădure are the set of large torques and the gold pendants in shape of perfume flasks.

The inhumation necropolis from Turnul Băiței, tomb no 1/1967 – (Lunca commune, Mureș County) 
Early Iron Age – 6th-5th century BC. 
MNIR no. inv. 69995. 

The gold phalera was part of a funerary offering found during regular archaeological diggings, in 1967. Alongside the phalera, the funerary offering found in the tomb no 1/1967 consisted of an akinakes type dagger, a spear head, 39 bronze arrowheads, 10 bronze harness fittings and a ceramic vessel. The tomb inventory as well as the burial ritual are typical for the culture of a group of Scythian population settled in central Transylvania during the final stage of the Early Iron Age, identified as the Agathyrsoi mentioned by the Greek historian Herodotus. 

The gold phalera from Băița is decorated with a cruciform solar symbol, representing the four season and the 12 months. In spite of the alleged fabulous richness in gold of the Agathyrsoi transmitted by Herodotus, actually, very few gold artefacts were, so far, found during archaeological researches or by chance finds.

In the tumular necropolis of the fortified, oppidum type Geto-Dacian settlement Argedava, tumulus no. 2 (Mihăilești town, Giurgiu County)    
Second Iron Age – Geto-Dacian culture – Late 2nd century - Mid 1st century BC. 
MNIR no. inv. 9026. 

The gold necklace was found in 1959, in a cremation tumular tomb, during routine archaeological excavations. The fragmentary gold necklace with pendent belongs to a set of very rare gold artefacts from the Geto-Dacian culture, bearing a local interpretation of the classical representation of the mythological Gorgone Medusa. 

Cetățuia Hill, the oppidum type Geto-Dacian settlement (Vernești commune, Buzău County) 
Second Iron Age – Geto-Dacian culture – End of the 2nd century – First half of the 1st century BC. 
MJBZ no. inv. 30777. 

The gold pendent was found in 1980, during regular archaeological research in an oppidum centre type settlement, in an area with Dacian building remains. It stands out not only as one of the rare gold artefacts from the Dacian period, but also as the earliest known representation of the crescent as a symbol of fertility in their culture. 

Imprecise finding place in Romania. 
Second Iron Age – Geto-Dacian culture – 1st century BC - Late 1st century AD. 
MNIR no. inv. C. 4197. 

The artefact appeared on the Romanian antiquities market during the 1920’s-1940’s, where it was bought by the great collector Eng. Constantin Orghidan. The finding place, the conditions of the discovery, as well as the date when the item entered the Orghidan collection are unknown.  

This bracelet is the only known example of a gold replica of a very common type of Dacian jewellery – links and bracelets with twisted endings. Notably, the bracelet from Orghidan collection is one of the few gold objects dating from the classical age of the Dacian civilisation. 

100 v.Chr. – 50 n.Chr. / 100 BCE – 50 CE  
Poiana, Galati district / Galati County 
National History Museum Romania, Bucharest 

In the area of the Dacian fortress (Săsciori commune, Alba County) 
Second Iron Age – Hellenistic or late Roman republican imports in Geto-Dacian culture – Mid 1st century BC. 
MNUAI no. inv. D4709-4711. 

In the late 1990s or early 2000s, at least three pieces of gold jewellery were discovered by a gang of looters using metal detectors. The conditions and the exact location of the discovery of the hoard are unknown. These artifacts were likely part of a funerary offering from a female tomb. Subsequently, after their discovery, the pieces were illegally exported and later recovered by Romanian judicial authorities. 

The funerary offering from Căpâlna retrieved so far consists of a necklace adorned with 26 pendants made from finely braided gold wire and a pair of earrings with brown glass applications. These artifacts can be regarded as among the highest quality imported jewellery found in Dacia. 

Imprecise location (Municipality of Mediaș commune, Sibiu County) 
Second Iron Age – Geto-Dacian culture – 2nd - 1st century BC. 
MNIR no. inv. 47591. 

The conditions and the exact location of the discovery of this hoard are unknown. It was bought in 1914 by the National Brukenthal Museum from an antiquities market. The functionality of the artefact is debated, as it lacks clear parallels in the Geto-Dacian material culture. The only indication about its possible use is offered by the hole in the middle, suggesting it may have been attached to another piece or used for hanging purposes. 

In the fortified Geto-Dacian settlement Argedava (Mihăilești town, Giurgiu County)    
Second Iron Age – Geto-Dacian culture –Mid 1st century BC. 
MNIR no. inv. 8452. 

The silver finger ring was found in 1957, during regular archaeological research, in the area of the so-called megaron building, the palace of the local ruler. It a very rare artefact, representing a miniature replica of the bracelets in gold and silver decorated with winged dragon heads and palmettes, one of the most typical Dacian adornments. 

Cugir – Dealul Cetate, cremation necropolis, no. II tumulus (town of Cugir,  Alba County) 
Second Iron Age – Geto-Dacian culture - Late 2nd century BC. – 1st century BC. 
MNUAI inv. D. 4482. 

The gold applique was found during routine archaeological excavations, during the 1970’s. It was unearthed in the cremation tomb of a warlord, with an exceptionally rich funerary offering. This offering included the remnants of a battle chariot, weapons, bronze and gold adornments, clothing accessories, a set of horse harnesses and ceramics.  

The gold applique depicts a fantastical creature with a body covered with mammalian fur and reptilian head. Crafted using the “au repoussé” technique, it was originally attached to a piece of leather, possibly a belt or a dagger scabbard.  

Câmpul morților, cremation necropolis (municipality of Zimnicea, Teleorman County). 
Second Iron Age – Geto-Dacian culture – Mid 1st century BC. 
MNIR no. inv. 8522. 

The silver torques was found during regular archeological research in the late 1940’s or early 1950’s. No information about the location or the conditions of the find are available. It represents a rather rare personal status symbol from the Dacian society found in the southern area of this civilisation. 

Imprecise finding place (Slimnic commune, Sibiu County) 
Second Iron Age – Geto-Dacian culture – Mid 1st century BC. 
MNIR no. inv. 8409-8410. 

The hoard was found by chance, in 1919 or 1920, during agricultural work. No information available about the location and the conditions of the finding. The hoard consisted of at least nine silver artefacts and fragments: two torques, five bracelets and fragments from a polispiral bracelet, but to date, only eight artefacts are still preserved. The most impressive pieces from this find are the large torques and a massive bracelet with the ends decorated by stylised representations of snake heads.        

Imprecise location (Cojocna commune, Cluj County) 
Second Iron Age – Geto-Dacian culture – End of the 2nd century – first half of the 1st century BC. 
MNIT no. inv. V 437, V 425, V 444. 

The hoard was found by chance, before 1890. There is no information about the location or condition of the finding. The hoard consisted of at least eight silver artefacts and fragments, but today only five have been preserved: three fibulas, a necklace with pendant and a fragment from a polispiral bracelet. The most impressive pieces from this find are the large fibulas decorated with knots.  

Imprecise finding place (Ernei commune, Mureș County) 
Second Iron Age – Geto-Dacian culture – Mid 1st century BC. 
MJMS no. inv. 16568/1-2, 39-41, 43-45, 49-52. 

The hoard was found by chance in 2018 within the village’s forested terrain. The hoard was unearthed during legal metal detecting activities. No further information is recorded about the precise location or the conditions of the finding. The hoard consisted of 64 artefacts, from which three are of gold and 61 of silver artefacts. The hoard is made up from several torques, chains, bracelets, fibulae and links, all in silver, as well as of three gold pendants in shape of perfume flask. 

The hoard from Sângeru de Pădure represents an exceptionally important find, containing both silver and gold items. It is one the most important late First Iron Age hoards found on the territory of eastern Transylvania. The most fascinating artefacts from the hoard of Sângeru de Pădure are undoubtedly the set of large torques and the gold pendants in shape of perfume flasks. 

In a Dacian settlement located on the high terrace of the left bank of Jiu River (former village Poiana, today the town Rovinari, Gorj County) 
Second Iron Age – Geto-Dacian culture –  End of the 1st century AD. 
MNIR no. inv. 8400, 11108-11113, 11115, 11126-11127, 11129, 11134. 

The large hoard was found by chance, during the spring of 1938, during agricultural work. Following an archaeological ground survey, one could assert that the hoard was found on the territory of a Dacian settlement. The authorities retrieved 28 silver artefacts, some of which are fragmentary, and 23 Roman Republican and Imperial denarii. However, some items were dispersed and lost. Among the recovered artefacts are two torques, two plain bracelets, two earrings, a link with a an axe shaped pendent, a pendent in form of dagger, 11 links of different dimensions, a fragment from an ornamented plaquette and eight lozenge shaped plaquettes, quite likely part of a necklace.  

The fact that the most recent Roman imperial denier from the Poiana-Gorj hoard was struck during the reign of Domitian (81-96 AD), let to the conclusion that the hoard was concealed during the Roman-Dacian war of 85-87 AD. In fact, the assemblage of Poiana-Gorj is one of the most recent Dacian hoards, being buried just 20 years before the conquest of this country by the Roman army. The content of the hoard represent a typical set of garments worn by Dacian noblewomen during the final decades of the autonomous existence of their civilisation. One of the most interesting items from this hoard is a complete torque, made from twisted and soldered wires, with snake head endings. The sharp zig-zag rendered on its reverse indicates that the Dacian silversmith modelled this on a viper, a very venomous and feared reptile from the region. 

Imprecise location (Hoghiz commune, Brașov County). 
Second Iron Age – Geto-Dacian culture – Mid 1st century BC. 
MJBV no. inv. II 9703 AR. 

The silver bracelet was found during legal metal detecting activities. No further information about the location or the conditions of the find are available.  

The bracelet from Lupșa has the ends decorated with representations of stylised human heads, wearing a kind of hemispherical, flatten hats and palmettes.  It represents an exceptionally rare and important Dacian piece of art with anthropomorphic decoration, also offering information about the head coverings of these peoples. Dacian art in precious metals and ceramics seems to rarely feature human representations. 

Unspecified town in Oltenia, Banat, or Southern Transylvania 
The end of the 1st century AD 
MNIR no. inv. T1, T2, T5, T7, T13, T14, T15, T16, T17 

The exhibition presents a selection of Dacian jewellery and clothing accessories, part of a hoard discovered in an unspecified locality in southwestern Romania (Oltenia, Banat or Southern Transylvania). There is no information about the precise place, date, or conditions in which the hoard was discovered, other than the fact that it was discovered as a result of illegal archaeological detection activities with the help of a metal detector. After the discovery, the pieces from this hoard were illegally exported. Thanks to collaboration between the Romanian and Austrian judicial authorities (Police of the Land of Tyrol in Salzburg) in 2015, 25 whole or fragmentary pieces were recovered, all made of silver. 

The recovered lot consists of seven simple bracelets, some with links and axe-shaped pendants; two (?) necklaces with pendants, with "nail"-shaped pendants (though fragmented); four simple links with twisted ends, probably part of a belt; four "spoon" type fibulae; and two spurs, one of which is fragmentary. 

Except for the two spurs, the hoard comprises only pieces of jewellery and clothing accessories typical of the finds, dating to the late period of the Dacian Kingdom’s existence (1st century AD), shortly before the Roman conquest. At least some of the ornaments seem to be part of Dacian women's clothing. Of these, the most impressive pieces in the hoard, in terms of decoration and size, are undoubtedly the bracelets. One of them is decorated with engravings representing stylised wolf heads, a Dacian symbol. 

From this group of ornaments the bracelets stand out, due to their originality. They are loaded with multiple links, one of which has pendants in the shape of an axe attached to these links. We believe that the axe-shaped pendants were the symbolic attribute of a local Geto-Dacian deity, the lord of lightning, the equivalent of Zeus or Jupiter in the Greco-Roman pantheon or Odin in the Germanic pantheon. 

The treasure also contains fragments of necklaces made of wire links, finished with circular pendants with "nail"-shaped pendants (symbolic representations of male sexual attributes). Exceptional in Geto-Dacian art, such pendant necklaces with "nail"-shaped pendants are often associated with representations of a male divinity, probably the Dacian equivalent of the god of the vine. This deity is also depicted on silver fibulae-falares from the Bucharest hoard - Herastrau. 

The former stone quarry "7 Noiembrie", located between the towns of Sâncrăieni and Jigodin (Sâncrăieni commune, Harghita county) 
The second half of the 1st century BC, possibly even the first decades of the 1st century AD. 
MNIR no. inv. 139369, 139370, 139371, 139372, 139378, 139379 

The treasure was discovered by chance, in 1953, during the exploitation of stone in an andesite quarry. Later, archaeological research was carried out at the site where other ancient silver pieces were found. In total, 20 silver and silver-gilt objects were recovered, including 15 kantharoi and cups, whole or fragmentary, two simple bracelets, decorated with highly stylised snake heads, a late Latène brooch with bilateral spring and the cord bow-wrapped, as well as two coins – an imitation of the Thasian tetradrachms (second issue) and a drachma issued by the citadel of Dyrrhachium. Unfortunately, most of the treasure is certainly lost, the pieces being destroyed and scattered by the explosions carried out to mine the stone. The current appearance of the pieces is due to restoration and may not reflect the original shapes, except for piece no. 3 of this catalogue. 

Particularly elegant is the silver cup, lacking both foot and handles, and partly gilt. It features engraved decorations of stylised vegetal and geometric motifs, including the continuous Greek wave. 

Also present in the exhibition are two kantharoi with a high foot and twisted bar handles, made of silver, partly gilded, decorated with stylised plant and geometric motifs. The handles reproduce the "Knot of Heracles" motif, as well as one of the Boscoreale type, made of silver, decorated with animal and vegetable motifs (group of deer, with trees in the background), obtained directly by casting, using the lost wax method. 

Very likely, the Sâncrăieni hoard is a ritual deposit, containing a set of banquet silverware of a Dacian dynasty that ruled in the eastern area of present-day Transylvania. Their economic strength was based both on the control of the income generated by the salt deposits and on the taxing of the trade between the Greek cities of the Black Sea area and the interior of Dacia, carried out through the gorges of the Eastern Carpathians. In addition to this table set, the hoard contained jewellery, female clothing accessories and foreign coins circulating in the Dacian world before the Roman conquest. This composition gives the hoard a distinctive place in the landscape of Dacian silver finds from the 1st century BC. . - I p. C. 

The pieces that make up the set of banquet vessels come from at least two workshops, both of the late Hellenistic and early Roman imperial traditions, familiar with both the techniques and the decorative repertoire in use in the area of ​​Greek and Roman civilisation. However some vessel forms, such as mastos-type cups, were tailored to appeal to the tastes of the Dacian elites of the 1st century BC. 

Recent research has highlighted the fact that some pieces in the hoard have been subjected to an operation of "renewal" or “modernisation", transforming them to align with a certain artistic taste or fashion. 

Imprecise finding place in Romania. 
Second Iron Age – Geto-Dacian culture – Mid 1st century BC. 
MNIR no. inv. 8463-8464. 

The finding place and conditions of the discovery of these two baseless silver goblets (mastos), partly gilded are unknown. The date when the item entered the collections of the former National Museum of Antiquities is also not recorded. Similar example of baseless goblets were found in the hoards from Sâncrăieni, Bucharest-Herăstrău, as well as in the hoard from Jakimovo, in north-western Bulgaria. 

Merii-Goala – in Vărzărie, on the banks of the Burdea stream (today a neighbourhood of the city of Vedea, Teleorman county) 
The second half of the 1st century B.C. 
MNIR no. inv. 11137 

The hoard was discovered in 1938, during some agricultural work. Later the place was investigated through a control survey, which proved that there were no other traces of ancient habitation in the area. In a ceramic vessel (destroyed by the three discoverers) there were 11 silver and gilded silver objects: two necklaces, made of braided wire, one of which has a pendant in the shape of a "nail" and the other, with clasps decorated with snake protomes , four fibulae, two of which have a rhombic shield and two of the Nauheim type, two rings, a belt applique, an earring with four silver sheet pearls, a mastos-type cup (destroyed by the discoverers), and an oenochoe. 

The belt appliqué from this hoard, decorated with a highly stylised horse's head, is unique in the Dacian art of precious metals from the 2nd-1st centuries BC. It is very likely that the hoard from Vedea is a ritual deposit, placed near water, in a location considered sacred. 

Unspecified town in Oltenia, Banat, or southern Transylvania 
The end of the 2nd century - the first half of the 1st century B.C. 
MNIR no. inv. 347895, 347898, 347899, 347900, 347906, 347901, 347905, 347909, 347910, 347911, 347912, 347951, 337668, 337669, 337672, 337673, 337664, 347955, 347953, 347952 

We do not have precise data on the place and date of discovery of the hoard, nor on the conditions in which it was found or its initial composition. However, according to data from the judicial investigation file, in 2015, the Romanian authorities were informed about the sale of a Dacian treasure in an EU state. This treasure, originating from southwest Romania, was brought to light by a group tackling organised crime and specialised in detecting illegal archaeological activities. By applying the provisions of the Unidroit Convention, MNIR managed to recover 20 silver and silver-gilt jewellery and clothing accessories, including: a headdress ornament, a torques, a necklace with a pendant, two falare-fibulae decorated with human representations, four fibulae with knots, two polyspiral bracelets, a belt, three rings, three pendants decorated with stylised sickles and two plaques of uncertain purpose (possibly belt fragments). 

The hoard is unique among the discoveries of Dacian silver ornaments and clothing accessories from the 2nd-1st centuries BC. It includes both familiar items found in other discoveries, such as fibulae with knots, phalere-fibulae, plate belts, as well as  items previously unknown in the area of this civilisation, such as a type of torques, a necklace with pendant and buckle, and a headdress ornament. The discovery is also distinguished by the refinement of the design and execution of the pieces, illustrating the opulence of female fashion among the Dacian elites during the rise of their political and military power at the end of the 2nd century and the first half of the 1st century BC. 

On the Hill Măgura Șimleului (town of Simleul Silvaniei, Sălaj County) 
Second Iron Age – Geto-Dacian culture – End of the 1st century BC – Beginning of the 1st Century AD. 
MNS no. inv. 11711-11717. 

The hoard was found in 1945 or 1946-1948, by chance, during agricultural work. Soon after, the content of the hoard was dispersed and lost, but the authorities have retrieved 13 silver Dacian adornments (some severely fragmented) and 41 silver coins. Among the retrieved artefacts are: two torques (one fragmented), four bracelets and seven pendants, parts from lost necklaces. The coins are Roman republican and early imperial denarii issued between 127 BC and 2 BC-14 AD and a denier issued by Juba I, King of Numidia (60-40 BC). In the light of numerous archaeological and numismatic finds on the Măgura Hill, it seems that during the 2nd century BC – early 2nd century AD the fortified settlement from Măgura Hill was one the most important political, military and religious centre of North-Western Dacia. The silver torques as well as the bracelets from the hoard of Simleul Silvaniei are beautiful examples of the sophistication and elegance of the Dacian jewellery during its classical period.

Coada Malului (Măgurele commune, Prahova county) 
Middle of the 1st century B.C. 
MNIR no. inv. 74941, 74939  

The treasure was discovered in 1932 under completely unknown conditions, leading to the loss or destruction of most of the hoard. However, several pieces were recovered by a collector, including two gilt silver fibulae (fragmentary), a partially gilt silver polyspiral bracelet with a winged dragon protomes plaque (broken in two, ancient), a fragment of chain with a tubular clasp and a 'nail' pendant, part of a braided silver wire necklace with pendant, as well as a late local imitation of Philip II's royal Macedonian tetradrachms. 

The fibula with a human protome featured in the exhibition belongs to an extremely interesting category of Dacian accessories, previously known only from a few discoveries in the southern area of this civilisation. Anthropomorphic representations  from the 2nd to 1st centuries BC are exceptionally rare. The identity and gender of the young figure with short-cut hair depicted on this type of fibula or on contemporary phalerae have been subjects of various hypotheses. However, the stylised vine or ivy leaf behind the human figure suggests that this is likely a portrait of a local divinity associated with vines and vegetation, equivalent to the Greek god Dionysus or the Roman god Bacchus. 

La izvor – the Dacian settlement (Mărunței commune, Olt County) 
The second half of the 1st century BC. 
MJAG no. inv. IV 1020-1028, IV 3673-3674  

The hoard was discovered by chance during the ploughing in the spring of 1964. The discovery site is located about 2 km northeast of the village, in the middle of a plateau on the left terrace of the Coteniţa stream. Subsequent archaeological research at the site concluded that the hoard was buried within a Dacian settlement. The recovered silver adornments include: a plurispiral bracelet with flattened ends, decorated with punched vegetal motifs and zoomorphic extremities (dragon protomes), two brooches adorned with a human face in relief, representing a female figure, a necklace of silver links gathered in the middle and bent, two earrings, a link with the ends passed and twisted around the body, four multi-spiral rings and a ring with open and flattened ends. 

The pieces form a cohesive set of adornments for the head, neck, chest and arms, probably parts of a female ceremonial costume. All these were deposited in a local ceramic vessel and then shallowly buried. 

The hoard is one of the most significant discoveries of its kind from the Dacian cultural environment south of the Carpathians. 

The shore of the Herăstrău Lake, in a gravel quarry located 800 m from station no. 5 of the Bucharest-Constanța railway (today in Sector 1, Bucharest municipality) 
Middle of the 1st century B.C. 
MNIR no. inv. 8415, 11144  

A group of workers found the hoard in 1938. They appropriated the pieces, destroying or alienating many of them. However, the authorities managed to recover some of the objects, most of which were heavily fragmented. The recovered items included: parts of at least two silver polyspiral bracelets with plates decorated with highly stylised protomes of winged dragons (fragmented), two (?) simple bracelets silver (very fragmentary), two silver fibulae-phalares (fragmentary), a silver necklace (fragmentary), a massive silver cup and 59 silver coins, imitations of tetradrachms from the second issue of the city of Thasos, fragments from a bronze situla with iron handles, various fragments and remains of silver and iron pieces of uncertain identification. 

Among the hoard's component pieces, a pair of silver fibula-phalera stands out. These accessories, designed to adorn clothing, are decorated with a human protome and were worn as garnishes. They represent a very rare category of Dacian jewellery, attested in the middle of the 1st century BC. Such finds have been discovered exclusively in the southern area of this civilisation, including Wallachia and northern Bulgaria, regions also inhabited by tribes related to the Geto-Dacians. Both the identity and even the gender of the young figure depicted on these phaleras have been subjects of various hypotheses.   The figure, with close-cropped hair, wears a cloak, richly draped and embroidered garments, and a necklace with a pendant in the shape of a "nail" (a symbol of male sexuality). Some believe this may be a portrait of a local male fertility deity, possibly the god of wine and vegetation, whose representation could also be found on other clothing accessories. 

Another exceptional piece from this hoard is the footless, conical-shaped drinking vessel (called in Antiquity mastos - "breast" in Greek). It is made of solid silver (weighs 468.73 g), using the cold hammering technique and is decorated with grooves and parallel bands of incised lines. 

The hoard from Bucharest-Herăstrău, datable to the middle of the 1st century BC, reflects the splendour and wealth of the Dacian aristocracy in the territories between the Carpathians and the Danube during the reign of King Burebista. It also provides insight into personal or collective religious practices, characterized by sumptuous sacrifices involving the deposition of precious metal objects and other valuable goods, consecrated to the gods. 

Sarmizegetusa Regia – Muchea Cetății (Grădiștea de Munte, commune of Orăștioara de Sus, county of Hunedoara) 
Middle of the 1st century B.C. 
MNIR no. inv. 326691, 326692, 337756, 333075 

The four Dacian gold bracelets featured in the exhibition are part of a hoard of six similar pieces discovered in March 1999 on the hill overlooking the Sacred Zone of Sarmizegetusa. They were found during illegal detection operations with the help of metal detectors. Subsequently the pieces were smuggled out of the country, but later recovered through a joint effort by Romanian judicial authorities and their counterparts in France, the USA, Switzerland, and Germany. Between 1999 and 2001, four other hoards of Dacian gold bracelets were discovered under similar circumstances. These finds, located around the sanctuaries of Sarmizegetusa Regia, often included gold and silver coins and other ornaments. To date, 13 of the 24 gold bracelets, have been recovered. 

The royal Dacian gold bracelets displayed in the exhibition are notable examples of massive polyspiral bracelets. These pieces are intricately decorated with palmettes on the plates and feature ends shaped like winged dragon heads. Initially attributed to the Dacians by researchers in the mid-19th century, the cultural identification of similar silver or silver-gilt artifacts has been reinforced by more recent studies. 

The polyspiral bracelets with dragon head decorations are particularly remarkable for their impressive physical characteristics. These bracelets not only stand out due to their size and weight but also demonstrate exceptional technical and artistic craftsmanship. 

Research has revealed the techniques and tools used by Dacian jewellers to create these remarkable bracelets. Starting with a gold ingot approximately 50x2 cm, the artisans shaped the bracelets using cold hammering with wooden tools on wooden anvils. Once the basic form was achieved, bronze punches were used to imprint palmettes on the end plates, while the anatomical details of the dragon heads were meticulously crafted with engraver's chisels and a set of hemispherical-headed punches. 

Interestingly, the bracelets were not finished by grinding with abrasive materials. Instead, they were simply rolled on a wooden drum and deposited in the Royal Dacian Treasury in the same condition they left the workshop. This process contrasts with the practices of their Mediterranean contemporaries, who finished jewellery with more refined techniques. Dacian jewellers treated these gold bracelets similarly to iron objects, "forging" them and applying punches as if they were stamping coins. 

Atomic and nuclear analyses conducted in Bucharest, Paris, Berlin, and Legnaro (Italy) have confirmed that all Dacian gold bracelets were crafted from alluvial, unrefined gold. This process preserved not only the silver and copper naturally found in the alloy but also trace elements such as tin, antimony, and tellurium. Consequently, the gold content of the bracelets varies significantly.  

The alluvial gold used in these bracelets originated from deposits located about 80-120 km north of Sarmizegetusa Regia, in the Ruda-Brad mining area and the valley of the Arieș River, part of the renowned Transylvanian Gold Quadrilateral. This region has a rich history of gold mining, beginning in prehistoric times and continuing under the Dacians, the Romans, through the Middle Ages and into the modern era. It is estimated that the area has produced several thousand tons of gold and tens of thousands of tons of silver throughout history, not including significant quantities of copper and other non-ferrous metals. 

The exclusive discovery of Dacian gold bracelets at Sarmizegetusa Regia, the capital of pre-Roman Dacia, particularly in the sanctuary area, highlights their rarity. These factors suggest that the bracelets were associated with royalty, serving as symbolic attributes of royal power, reserved for members of the royal clan. 

The winged dragons adorning these bracelets are the prototypes of the fantastic creatures depicted on the banners of the Dacian army (Draco), as seen on Trajan's Column more than a century and a half later. Initially, the winged dragon likely represented a protective deity of the Dacian royal clan. Over time, it evolved into the symbolic emblem of the Dacian state and people, appearing prominently on military banners. Notably, the Dacian banner featuring the dragon, Draco, survived the Roman conquest. It was adopted by the Romans and continued to serve as an imperial military symbol, later influencing the Byzantines and the Carolingian Franks. 

A detailed examination of the winged dragons on the bracelets reveals two distinct "varieties" of these mythical creatures: some with fur-covered bodies (inventory no. 326691) and others with reptilian bodies. 

Dealul Chicui, the new graveyard of the village Cergău commune, Alba County) 
Second Iron Age – Geto-Dacian culture – Late 2nd century BC. - Mid 1st century BC. 
MNUAI no. inv. D. 4470-4473, 4477, 4480. 

The hoard was discovered by chance in 1994 during the digging of a grave. Unfortunately, no additional information is available regarding the precise location or conditions of the find. The hoard, concealed in a bronze vessel of Italian origin, comprised ten silver artifacts. These included a silver cup, two large silver fibulae, and seven silver phalerae. As part of the Dacian ritual tradition concerning offerings to the gods, the cup and phalerae were severely damaged before being buried. 

The hoard from Lupu represents an exceptionally significant find, containing both silver and imported bronze items. It is one of the most important Late First Iron Age hoards discovered to date in Transylvania. Among the artifacts, the most fascinating are the set of phalerae adorned with representations of a goddess, possibly the mistress of animals, akin to the ancient Greek goddess Potnia Theron or the Thracian Bendis, as well as images of riding warriors and an eagle fighting a snake. The human depictions on the phalerae from Lupu are also exceptionally valuable historical documents, providing insights into Dacian male and female attire and hairstyles. 

Surcea – property of the V. Hatnagy family (Brateș commune, Covasna county) 
The second half of the 1st century BCE – the beginning of the 1st century CE. 
MNIR no. inv. 32069-32070  

The treasure was discovered by chance, in 1934, during excavations for a silo intended for fodder storage. The artifacts were found nestled within a ceramic bowl and consisted of seven silver pieces: two gilded silver falares, four kantharoi foot bases reminiscent of those found in the Sâncrăieni hoard's tableware, and a small irregularly shaped ingot. According to the discoverers' statement, the four cup bases were “stacked" on top of each other. In addition to these precious metal items, archaeologists uncovered six cylindrical iron bars showing signs of deformation and wear at both ends, likely due to repeated hammering or contact with hard metal surfaces. Initially labeled as "small jeweller's anvils," these bars are more plausibly interpreted as punches or stamps used for imprinting designs onto metal surfaces. The archaeological site also revealed evidence of human habitation, including remnants of a floor, hearth, ceramic fragments, and animal bones. Moreover, a nearby tomb further complicates determining the precise function of the complex. However, the presence of these artifacts strongly suggests the site may have functioned as a jeweller's workshop—a hypothesis supported by the discovery context and the nature of the recovered items. 

The two silver appliques, probably used to decorate a leather plate or a sword scabbard, are presented in the exhibition: 

The first falera, fragmentary and gilded in silver, is oval-shaped with two perforations secured by rivets. It features a depiction of a horseman striding to the right. The rider is characterized by short, straight hair and a neatly trimmed round beard. He wears double torques around his neck, a cloak, a chain mail shirt, breeches gathered at the calves, and a decorated sword in a scabbard at his waist. His right hand is poised on the sword guard. Above the rider's head, there is a bird of prey with wings spread wide, depicted in a protective stance. Below the horse, there is a dog or possibly a wolf, depicted with a wide-open muzzle facing left. The entire composition is enclosed within a double frame adorned with the "wolf's fangs" motif and a pearl line decoration. 

The second falera, crafted from gilded silver, takes a circular form with two perforations held in place by rivets. It is adorned with the depiction of a griffin protome facing left. The entire design is enclosed within a double frame embellished with the "wolf's fangs" motif. 

Despite their modest size, the two phalerae from Surcea provide invaluable insights into Dacian society during the period immediately following the reign of Burebista (ca. 82-44 BC). While the scene depicted on the first phalera appears to reference a mythological episode featuring a god or hero accompanied by a bird of prey—a symbol of divine attributes—rather than an everyday life scene, the details of hairstyles, beard styles, ornaments, clothing, and weaponry reflect a keen observation of everyday reality by the jeweller who crafted the phalerae. 

Particularly noteworthy are the hairstyle and the rumpled trousers, reminiscent of representations seen on Trajan's Column and the Tropaeum Traiani monument. Interestingly, similar styles of hair and clothing, such as trousers with wrinkled trouser legs, persisted until the early 20th century among Romanian peasants in the Carpathian Bend region, where the Surcea treasure was discovered. 

The popularity of the necklace (torques) worn by the figure depicted on the phalera is evident from its frequent appearance in silver among numerous Dacian treasures and individual finds dating from the 2nd century BC to the 1st century AD, discovered within present-day Romania. 

The inclusion of the griffin motif on a phalera unearthed at Surcea, originating from oriental, Iranian-Anatolian traditions and transmitted to the Geto-Dacian region through Greek and "Scythian" channels, underscores the profound penetration of Hellenistic spiritual and artistic influences into this population during the 1st century BC to the 1st century AD. 

Vindplaats onbekend / Unknown place of discovery 
100-1 v.Chr. / BCE 
National History Museum Romania, Bucharest 

On the high terrace of Șieu River, at 500 m south-west from the village (Șieu-Odorhei commune, Bistrița-Năsăud County) 
Second Iron Age – Greek import in Geto-Dacian culture – Second half of the 1st century BC. 
CMBN no. inv. 13662/3, 5, 7, 10, 13-14, 17, 25, 28, 32, 38-39, 42, 46-47, 54, 58, 60-61, 70-71, 74, 81, 86-87, 90-91, 93, 95, 97, 99, 101, 104, 106, 108, 110, 115, 119, 122, 125, 130, 133, 138-139, 144-145, 149-150, 153, 155, 159-160, 162, 166, 169, 174, 180, 182, 187-214. 

The hoard was found in 1982, by chance, during agricultural work, followed by regular archaeological research. The hoard was concealed in a shallow hole, at a depth of 0.30-0.40 cm, in an area lacking other archaeological remains. Quite likely, it was put in an organic container (leather or textile bag).  The authorities retrieved the entire hoard. The hoard from Șieu-Odorhei consisted of 214 silver and gold coins. 

The silver coins were issued during the late 2nd-early 1st century BC by pseudo-autonomous political entities from the southern and western Balkans, controlled by the Roman republican administration. 97 tetradrachms were issued by the district of Macedonia I. The other 91 tetradrachms are of Thasian type (genuine issues of the city of Thasos and some others are their imitations struck by different Thracian tribes from the Central and Eastern Balkans). 19 drachmas were issued by the Adriatic cities of Apollonia and Dyrrachium. All the seven gold coins are anonymous Staters of “Muschel” type, struck during the first half of the 1st century by the Celtic tribal confederation of the Boheni, located on the Middle Danube in modern day Czech Republic and Slovakia. 

Some of the silver tetradrachms and drachms, as well as the gold Staters, wear traces of the metal being checked by deep chisel cuts, showing that the Dacians and other tribes from the Balkans were aware about the existence of the forgeries among these issues and took precautions to control the quality of the coins. Such an approach indicates familiarity of the 1st century BC Dacians with the monetary reality from the late Hellenistic and Roman world (i.e. the existence of fake coins, made from plated copper or low silver content cores). At the same time, the practice of chiselling lead to the coins losing monetary value, turning them in small ingots of precious metal. 

The make-up of the coin hoard from Șieu-Odorhei offers a panorama of the participation of the Dacians in a series of political conflicts in the Balkans and Central Europe during the reign of King Burebista (cca 82-44 BC). One could suppose that the large amount of silver issues struck by Macedonia I, Thasos and Dyrrachium and Apollonia reached Dacia as a consequence of the participation of contingents of Dacian warriors in the Mithridatic wars, in the wars against the Celtic confederations of the Boheni (Boii) and Scorodisci and pillage raids in the Balkans. In this respect, the hoard of Șieu-Odorhei is an important historical document. The presence of the Celtic gold issues among the coins of the hoard is a consequence of the participation of warriors conscripted from the northeastern territories of the Dacian Kingdom in the wars against the Celtic tribes of the Boheni, mentioned by the Greek geographer Strabon. 

On the former property of Țone Vasile, located at 2 km south-east from the village, on the bank of a stream affluent of Mostiștea River (Tămădăul Mare commune, Ilfov County) 
Second Iron Age – Geto-Dacian culture – Mid 1st century BC. 
MNIR no. inv. 212631-212633.  

The hoard was found in 1950, by chance, during agricultural work, followed by a ground survey. The hoard was found on the territory of an ancient Geto-Dacian settlement. No other information concerning the conditions of the find are recorded. The hoard was concealed in a ceramic vessel that has been preserved.  

The authorities have retrieved 21 silver coins and the ceramic vessel, a local wheeled, grey ware mug. There are indications that some coins were dispersed among the local inhabitants.  

The silver coins, so far retrieved, consist of 17 tetradrachms of Thasian type, issued during the late 2nd – first half of the 1st century BC by the pseudo-autonomous political entity of Thasos or by Thracian tribes from the Central and Eastern Balkans and four tetradrachms struck by the Celtic tribe of the Boheni (Boii). They represent the most interesting part of the hoard, being extremely rare among the coin finds found in Dacia to date. The Celtic coins bore Latin inscriptions mentioning the name of the issuing authorities. Two of them were struck by the king Nonnos and other two by the king Biatec. 

 The appearance of the Celtic coins in an unexpected monetary context in southern parts of Dacia raises an important historical question. How they did arrive so far from the territory controlled by the Boheni, which was located on the Middle Danube region in present day Czech Republic and Slovakia? One could suppose that the Celtic silver reached Dacia because of the participation of contingents of Dacian warriors in the wars raged by King Burebista against the confederations of the Boheni (Boii). In this respect, the hoard of Tămădăul Mare is an important historical document. The presence of the Celtic silver issues among the coins of a hoard concealed in the middle of the Wallachian Plain is a consequence of the participation of warriors conscripted from the southern territories of the Dacian Kingdom for the wars against the Boheni, mentioned by the Greek geographer Strabon.  

Imprecise finding place (Cacica commune, Suceava County) 
Second Iron Age – Geto-Dacian culture – 1st century BC. 
MNBSV no. inv. X, XI. 

The hoard was found by chance on the village’s forested terrain in 2016. The hoard was unearthed during legal metal detecting activities. No further information is recorded about the precise location and the conditions of the find. The hoard consisted of at least five silver artefacts. The hoard is made up of two necklaces and three bracelets. In spite of being rather modest in size, the hoard from Solonețu Nou represents a very important find. It is the most important late First Iron Age hoard found, so far, on the territory of the historical Romanian region of Bucovina.  

The hoard of Solonețu Nou comprises a collection of women's silver adornments. 

Senereuș – the vineyard of the L. Reissenber family (Bălăușeri commune, Mureș county) 
The first decades of the 1st century AD 
MNIR no. inv. 47482, 47483. 

The treasure was discovered by chance, in 1878, during some agricultural work. The pieces were placed in a ceramic bowl. 17 pieces of silver were recovered, including a polyspiral bracelet with a plate decorated with winged dragon heads, torques, a braided wire necklace, three simple bracelets with twisted ends, and a Nauheim-type brooch (all made of silver). 10 coins were also found – Republican Roman Denari, the most recent issue being from C. Julius Caesar. Due to the presence of the spoon-type fibulae in the port seal from Senereus, the hoard belongs to the third group of Dacian hoards and can be dated to the Augusto-Tiberian period. 

Polyspiral bracelet, decorated with dragon heads (mammal fur version). This type of ornament is one of the rarest and most characteristic of the Dacian civilisation from the classical period of its development (1st century B.C. - 1st century B.C.). These massive bracelets, known only in gold and silver versions (the present one weighing 396.49 g), appear to have been used for a brief period during the centralisation of the Dacian Kingdom, starting from the reign of King Burebista (ca. 82-44 BC) and his immediate successors. Their use was restricted to prominent members of the royal clan. The representation of winged dragons on these jewels seems to constitute the emblem of this clan, a heraldic element taken over and continued in the 1st century AD by the Dacian military banners - Draco - represented on Trajan's Column. 

The rigid collar is made from a twisted bar with hook locks. 

Both the spiral bracelet with palmettes and those with hanging and wrapped ends from the same group are pieces that also appear in earlier hoards, dating from the second half of the 1st century BC. The combination of pieces from an older tradition together with spoon fibulae is also found in the Hetiur treasure, located less than 12 km away from Senereus.  This may be proof of the adaptation of female ceremonial costumes to new fashions, while concurrently transmitting certain symbolic elements from one generation to another. 

Piroboridava? – Fortiefied oppidum type Geto-Dacian settlement (Poiana, Nicorești commune, Galati County) 
Second Iron Age – Geto-Dacian culture – Mid of the 1st century BC. 
MNIT no. inv. 8421, 8432, 8438-8440, 8446, 8458-8459. 

Three hoards were found in 1949 during regular archaeological diggings. The artifacts were concealed directly on the ground, possibly in a bag of organic matter. Hoard no 1 consisted of two silver fibulae, bound together (inv. no.  8438 is displayed in the Drents Museum). Hoard no. 2 consisted of two fibulae (inv. nos. 8439-8440), seven links and four Roman republican denarii. A possible third hoard consists of a pair of earrings (inv. nos 8432, 8446) and several single finds of Dacian jewellery. Among them are a remarkable bracelet with the ends decorated with stylised snake’s heads. Also on display in the exhibition are two late silver fibulae of Nauheim type, discovered at an unspecified date and in an unspecified context. 

Romania, unknown place of discovery. 
Middle of the 1st century BC 
MMB inventory no. 19278 

The spiral bracelet with end plates and zoomorphic protome from the collection of 'Maria and Dr. G. Severeanu' was discovered in unknown condition sometime in the 19th century. It belongs to a distinct morphological group within the Dacian silver hoards, datable to the classical period of the Second Iron Age. This type of bracelet is an original creation of the goldsmiths of that time, typical for the Dacian area.  

The technique used to make the spiral bracelet consisted of processes applied in a strict order: cold hammering, stamping and engraving. Another peculiarity of the bracelet in the Severeanu collection is the gilding of the end plates, which certifies the high degree of specialisation of the craftsman. The presence of gilding can be seen on the inside of the stamped decoration and partly in the area of the crest and the zoomorphic protome. A variety of tools, including chisels and punches, were used for the decoration.  

The attention to detail is evidence of its creation by a skilled craftsman familiar with the technology of these pieces, whose ornamentation follows recognised patterns. Most probably, the end-plates have been ritually stripped since ancient times, with its consecration as an offering to the gods. 

Vârteju (suburban commune of the municipality of Bucharest) 
The end of the 2nd century - the beginning of the 1st century BC. 
MNIR no. inv. 2623-2632 

The hoard was discovered, by chance, in 1953. It consists of 299 silver coins, deposited in a burnt clay pot (destroyed by the discoverers). 

The coins of the Vârteju-București type belong to the very late, in fact final, series of Geto-Dacian imitations of the tetradrachms of Philip II of Macedon. On the obverse it bears a highly stylised, almost unrecognisable representation of the head of a bearded god and on the reverse the stylised image of a horseman, to the left. 

Considering the average weight of the known pieces, they can be regarded as belonging to the "didrachm" denomination. Vârteju-București type coins are the only Geto-Dacian issues that appear in large numbers in single finds made in settlements, proof of their use in everyday life. 

The concentration of such discoveries covers the central region of Wallachia and the adjacent area in northern Bulgaria. The Vârteju-București monetary type was issued in a considerable quantity by a local political formation, which controlled the lower valleys of the Argeș, Prahova, Ialomița rivers, as well as a portion of the northern and southern banks of the Danube, involved in the salt trade and commercial routes between the Balkans and the Carpathians. 

On the right bank of the Șasea River, in the place called La hotar (Tetoiu commune, Vâlcea County) 
Second Iron Age – Eastern Celtic – Late 3rd – Mid 2nd century BC. 
MNIR no. inv. 5191, 5196, 36947-36950.  

The hoard was found in 1953, by chance. The conditions and the exact location of the discovery remain unknown. Most of the content of the hoard was dispersed and lost, but the authorities have retrieved 92 silver tetradrachms. The coins belong to two very interesting monetary types, with a quite unusual obverse design in the Geto-Dacian and the Eastern Celtic numismatics. The design of the first type reproduces a female head, with face. The representation has a series of common features with the image of a goddess rendered on the 4th century Thracian silverware. On the second type, the obverse representation is a double headed character, rendered as the Roman god Janus Bifrons. One could suppose that it represents a Celtic or a local god. The reverse representation on both monetary types is the image of a rider, a common feature of the entire Geto-Dacian and Danubian Celtic coinage.   

The main area of the finds of coins of these types is concentrated in the southern parts of the territory of the Romanian historical province of Oltenia and in the Danubian zone of Nord-Western Bulgaria, eastward from the Iron Gates of the Danube. During the 5th-4th century the area was inhabited by the northern Thracian tribe of the Triballi, related to the Getae. During the early 3rd century BC, the Triballi were defeated and came under the political and military domination of the Celtic tribe of the Scorodisci, but many of their cultural and religious traditions survived the defeat and were transmitted to the newcomers. The authority of the Scorodisci seems to also have extended north of the Danube, into the Dacian territory. Quite likely, the political authorities responsible for issuing the coins of the hoard from Bugiulești are the “kings” of the Lesser Scorodisci, ruling over local populations. 

Imprecise location on the territory of the villages Tulghieș or Mirieșu Mare (Mirieșu Mare commune, Maramureș County) 
Second Iron Age – Eastern Celtic culture – Late 3rd – Mid 2nd century BC. 
MNIR no. inv. 5211-5220.  

A very large hoard was found in 1939 or 1940, by chance. The conditions and the exact location of the discovery remain unknown. Most of the content of the hoard, said to have contained about 1000 silver coins, was dispersed and lost. However the Romanian and Hungarian authorities have retrieved 205 silver tetradrachms – 198 local imitations of the tetradrachms of Philipp II of Macedon and seven posthumous tetradrachms struck in the name of Alexander the Great. The coins belonging to the series of imitations of the tetradrachms of Philipp II present a very large variation of “secret marks”, located on the reverse: beardless head, wild boar and shield, lion, lyre, bow, rosette, branch with leaves or “letter” like signs, such as Λ, Π, X, V or “Roman numerals”. These elements prove that the coinage lasted for a long time, for several generations, and the authorities responsible for issuing the coins had access to important stocks of silver. Taking into consideration that some innovations happened in the design of the coins, one could suppose that they were struck in several mints starting from the same prototype.     

The main area of the finds of coins of these types is concentrated in the north-western and western parts of Transylvania. During the late 4th century BC this area came under the political and military domination of the Celtic tribe. This situation lasted at least until the mid-2nd century, when the Dacians became the dominant political group. Quite likely, the political authorities responsible for issuing the coins of the hoard from Tulghieș-Mirieșu Mare are the “kings” of the Celtic tribes, ruling over local populations. Both Celtic and Dacian coinage did not cater to the economic needs of local societies, which continued to operate within a predominantly closed economic system. The coinage of the local petty kings, whether of Celtic or Dacian origin, was an act of prestige - the display of wealth and symbolic power. This practice mirrored the behaviour of Hellenistic monarchs who used coinage as a political tool to assert their unique positions among peers and to reward political and military services rendered by their subjects. The spread of the monetary types found in the hoard from Tulghieș-Mirieșu Mare across larger territories can be linked to gifts offered by the rulers of the Celts living in North-Western Transylvania to other chieftains or payments made to mercenaries. 

Valea Dosului (Dobra commune, Hunedoara County) 
Second Iron Age – Geto-Dacian culture – Late 2nd – Mid 1st century BC. 
MNIR no. inv. 38976-38980, 38983-985, 38988, 38994.  

A very large hoard was found in 1944, by chance, during agricultural work. The coins were concealed in a ceramic vessel, that is partly preserved. The conditions and the exact location of the discovery remain unknown. The authorities have retrieved 245 base silver didrachms. Unlike most of the Dacian monetary type that are imitations of the obverse and reverse designs of the tetradrachms of Philipp II, the obverse design of the coins from the hoard of Rădulești are copies of the representation found on the obverse of the tetradrachms of Alexander the Great type – the head of Herakles with the scalp of the Nemeean lion.     

The main area of the finds of coins of these types is concentrated in the middle valley of Mureș River, in the heartland of the Dacian Kingdom. Several hoards and single finds of such coin types were reported to be found at Sarmizegetusa Regia, the last capital of the Dacian Kingdom. The great number of hoards and single finds proves that the volume of the minted coins was substantial and the minting activity lasted for long time. Though the quality of the monetary alloy used was lower than in previous periods, the amount of raw silver involved to strike this monetary type was considerable.     

The minting authorities responsible for issuing the monetary type from the hoard of Rădulești were the rulers of the core region of the further Dacian Kingdom, the predecessors of Burebista (cca 82-44 BC).  

Sarmizegetusa Regia – Grădiștea Muncelului, La fagul lui Bode (Grădiștea de Munte, commune of Orăștioara de Sus, county of Hunedoara) 
The second half of the 1st century B.C. (40-20 B.C.) 
MNIR no. inv. 293328 -293337 

The hoard of about 3,000 gold coins was discovered in the summer of 1996, by an organised crime group that dealt in archaeological poaching. After the discovery, most of the coins were exported illegally. To date, the Romanian judicial authorities have recovered approximately 1,000 Koson type gold coins from this great hoard. 

The coins of King Koson, with their gold and silver variants, constitute a unique chapter in Geto-Dacian coinage. They are the safe issues which bear a legend in Greek, indicating the name and royal title of the authority who minted them, and its staters are the only known gold coins of this ancient people. Historians believe that King Koson (Cotyso) belonged to an important dynasty that ruled the state and religious nucleus of the Dacians located in the region of the Orăștiei Mountains, including the area of ​​the capital Sarmizegetusa Regia, in the first decades following the collapse of Burebista's kingdom (ca. 44-20 BC). 

From an iconographic point of view, the staters of King Koson belong to the series of imitative Geto-Dacian monetary issues. Their obverse design was inspired by the representations on the Pomponius Rufus denarii, from 71 BC, while the image on their reverse follows the reverse of the denarius issued by the Roman consul M. Iunius Brutus (54 BC). On the other hand, in terms of weight, Koson's gold coin follows the metrological standard of the late Hellenistic staters of the pseudo-Lysimachos type, issued in the 1st century BC by the Greek cities of Tomis, Callatis and Istros, from the western coast of the Black Sea (with an average of 8.20-8.30 g). 

Over the past five centuries, several hoards have been discovered in and around Sarmizegetusa, involving tens of thousands of coins, all uncirculated, virtually in the condition they were in when they left the mint. In some cases, they were associated with staters issued at Tomis, Callatis and Istros, as well as gold (polyspiral bracelets) or silver jewellery. Most of these hoards seem to have been ritual deposits, offerings to the gods, rather than treasures placed safely in the ground in times of crisis. The impressive amount of gold and silver coin minted by the Koson basileus, but not put into circulation, leads us to the idea that they were intended for the payment of mercenaries on a major military campaign, which we assume that for some reason did not take place. Some of these coins were consecrated to the gods, while others remained in the royal treasury, being captured more than a century later by the Romans. 

Sarmizegetusa Regia – Grădiștea Muncelului, on the property of Bodea Vasilie and Balint Horea (Grădiștea de Munte, commune of Orăștioara de Sus, county of Hunedoara). 
Second Iron Age – Geto-Dacian culture – The second half of the 1st century B.C. (40-20 BC.) 
MNIR no. inv. 337792 -337801, 337823-337832. 

Two hoards containing ca 3000 silver coins were found, using metal detectors, during the winter of 2003/2004, by an organised crime group that dealt in archaeological poaching. After the discovery, most of the coins were exported illegally. The Romanian judicial authorities have retrieved about 250 Koson type silver drachmas from these great hoards. 

Two different types of silver coin issues by King Koson are known. The first type is a replica in silver of the gold staters. The second one bears an inscription in Dacian, written with Greek letters – KOΣΩN ΔPOYEIΣ, and reproduces the monetary design of the tetradrachms of Macedonia I district. Both the silver variants of coins of King Koson represent a special chapter in the history of the Geto-Dacian coinage. The existence of such coins remained unknown to the numismatists until the last two decades. Their special status among the otherwise rich and diverse Dacian coinage is given also by the fact that they are the only issues, bearing inscription in Greek and Dacian, mentioning the name and royal title of the minting authority.  

From an iconographic point of view, the drachmas of King Koson belong to the series of imitative Geto-Dacian monetary issues. The obverse design of the silver coins of the first type was inspired by the representations on the Pomponius Rufus denarii, struck in 71 BC, while the image on their reverse follows the reverse of the denarius issued by the Roman consul M. Junius Brutus (issued in 54 BC). The obverse and the reverse designs of the drachmas of the second type are inspired by the representations found on the tetradrachms of Macedonia I region. The denomination and the weight of Koson's silver issues is also unique in the Dacian coinage, where tetradrachms and didrachms were produced, but not drachms. The silver coins of king Koson were struck according the metrological standard of the Roman republican denarii. 

One could suppose that the hoards of Koson silver coins, so far known, seem to be ritual deposits, offerings to the gods, rather than personal belongings concealed in the ground, in times of crisis. All the coins of Koson found in the area of Sarmizegetusa Regia, the last capital of the Dacian kingdom, are preserved in mint condition, not having been circulated. One could suppose that the impressive amount of gold and silver coin minted by Koson were intended to pay mercenaries, on the occasion of preparing for a major military campaign, which we can only assume did not take place for some reason. 

Imprecise location (municipality of Mediaș, Sibiu County) 
Second Iron Age – Geto-Dacian culture – Mid 1st century BC. 
MNIR no. inv. 47495-47496. 

The hoard was found before the end of 19th century, by chance. No information about the location and the conditions of the find are recorded. The hoard consisted of at least nine silver artefacts and fragments, including: two necklaces, of which one with three nail shaped pendants, five fibulas and two fragmentary bracelets. The most remarkable items from the Mediaș hoard are the necklaces, in particular the rare complete example with a nice nail shaped pendant.