COIN OF ROMAN EMPEROR ANTONIUS PIUS FOUND
The E-Sylum (2/14/2021)
Book Content
COIN OF ROMAN EMPEROR ANTONIUS PIUS FOUND
Howard Berlin passed along this article from The Times of Israel about the chance find of a soldier. Thanks. -Editor
An Israel Defense Forces soldier discovered a rare 1,800-year-old coin during a training exercise, the Israel Antiquities Authority announced on Monday.
The coin features an image of the head of the Roman emperor Antonius Pius and was dated to 158-159 CE.
Donald Tzvi Ariel, head of the Israel Antiquities Authority's Numismatics Department, said that the coin was well-preserved and a rare find.
"This coin joins only eleven such coins from known locations in the National Treasures Department collection. All the coins were found in northern Israel, from Megiddo and Zippori to Tiberias and Arbel," Ariel said.
On its reverse was the Syrian god MEN, the moon god, and the phrase "of the people of Geva Phillipi."
The Israel Antiquities Authority said the coin was minted in Geva and was discovered in northern Israel, without giving further specifics of the location of the find.
Howard adds:
"Here's a photo of Dr. Donald Ariel who I first met in his office at the Israel Museum in Jerusalem."
To read the complete article, see:
IDF soldier finds rare 1,800-year-old coin during training exercise in north(https://www.timesofisrael.com/idf-soldier-finds-rare-1800-year-old-coin-during-training-exercise-in-north/)
Thanks also to Arthur Shippee, who forwarded a related article fromThe Jerusalem Post. It has an image of the coin's reverse.-Editor
To read the complete article, see:
1800-year-old coin found by soldier offers look at ancient life in Israel(https://www.jpost.com/archaeology/1800-year-old-coin-found-by-soldier-offers-look-at-ancient-life-in-israel-658327)
