Old coins found

BANDA ACEH, Aceh: A woman has stumbled on 30 Spanish and Dutch coins dated between 1812 and 1824 while digging up soil in her garden in Pulau Aceh district, Aceh Besar regency, Antara reported on Thursday.

Isa Ansari of the Office for the Collection of Historic and Ancient Artifacts in Banda Aceh said the silver coins were discovered inside a water vessel dug out by Sakdah, the 40-year old farmer, on Sept. 8.

Isa described one coin as having a design with a woman on one side and a Spanish crown and a box inscribed with the picture of a sea horse on the other.

The coins are now in the possession of Isa's office for further study. The government is considering compensating the farmer for the discovery, Antara said. (emb)