Luca Rinaldi, the local archaeology superintendent, was delighted with the find but refused to put a value on it, The Times reported.

He said: “It’s practically an entire collection, unlike anything else ever found in northern Italy.

“Sometimes coins that are found are stuck together but these are all separate, it was like opening a wallet.

“We are talking about an exceptional discovery.”

4Officials said the find was an ‘exceptional’ discovery with an ‘inestimable’ valueCredit: Ministry for Cultural Heritage and Activities4The discovery was made during renovations to a cinemaCredit: Ministry for Cultural Heritage and Activities

Alberto Bonisoli, Italy’s Minister of Culture, said the discovery “fills [him] with pride”.

According to the paper, the coins were minted in the 5th Century AD and are being analysed at a factory in Milan.

Four years ago, a treasure hunter unearthed one of the largest hoards of late Roman gold coins found — on his first outing with a metal detector.

The 159 “solidi” coins date from the last days of Roman rule, making them 1,600 years old. At the time they were estimated to be worth £100,000.

The novice hunter, a car salesman, had bought an entry-level metal detector and set out in woods near St Albans, Herts, where he found the stash of gold.

4It’s believed the coins date back to the 5th Century ADCredit: Ministry for Cultural Heritage and Activities