Rare Silver Coin from 2,000 Years Ago Discovered by 11-Year-Old ...

A shekel made of pure silver that was used for trade in Jerusalem about 2,000 years ago, during the Second Temple era, was discovered in Jerusalem by an 11-year-old girl. Liel Krutokop from Petach Tikva found the coin when she came with her parents and sister to do archeological sifting at the Emek Tzurim Sifting Project in the City of David.

The coin weighs about 14 grams. On one side is an inscription of a cup with the caption: "Israeli shekel" and next to the cup are the letters: ש"ב – shorthand for “second year" - the second year of the Great Revolt of the Jews against the Romans (67-68 CE). On the other side of the coin is an inscription identified by scholars as the headquarters of the High Priest, and next to it appears in ancient Hebrew script the words: "Holy Jerusalem."

"This is a rare finding," said Dr. Robert Cole, Head of the Coin Department of the Israel Antiquities Authority,"because of the many thousands of coins found in archaeological excavations to date, only about 30 coins are coins made of silver."

The coin was discovered in dirt that came from archeological excavations conducted by the Israel Antiquities Authority on the "Pilgrimage Road," in the City of David National Park and will be presented to the public during Chanuka at Emek Tzurim National Park in Jerusalem at the City of David and the National Parks Authority.

©ShemeshOnline
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