Historical find in the Holy Land as 2000-year-old biblical era coin uncovered

[Zephyr]

Historical find in the Holy Land as 2000-year-old biblical era coin uncovered

Amid an intensive archeological survey to retrieve biblical treasures before antiquity looters, a rare 2,000-year-old Hebrew coin was located in the heart of ancient Israel.

www.foxnews.com

Israel Antiquities Authority announced last week that it found a rare silver half-shekel coin from the time of the first Jewish revolt against the Romans over 2,000 years ago in the Judean desert.

The discovery electrified the Israeli media and the biblical and archeological communities due to the coin’s historical significance.

According to a press release from Israel Antiquities Authority, "These coins were minted in the values of shekel and half-shekel at the time of the First Revolt of the Jews against the Romans in Judea between the years 66–70 CE, when the Second Temple was destroyed in Jerusalem."

Yaniv David Levy, Israel Antiquities Authority numismatic scholar, said, "Coins from the first year of the Revolt, such as this one, are rare. During the Second Temple period, Jewish pilgrims used to pay a Temple Tax in half-shekel coins. For about two centuries, Tyrian-minted coins, made of fine silver and a status symbol in the region, were used for this contribution."

Orenstein continued, "A coin such as this one, engraved in ancient Hebrew with the words 'Holy Jerusalem,' had the singular purpose of being brought to the Temple, which stood atop the Temple Mount in Jerusalem, during the Biblical Pilgrimage festivals, as recounted in the Bible."

Eli Escusido, director of the Israel Antiquities Authority, said, "The discovery of the half-shekel coin is yet another gift that the Israel Antiquities Authority bestows on the Israeli nation – first-hand evidence of a turbulent period in the history of our people 2,000 years ago, in a period of extremity and discourse that divided the nation and led to destruction."

He added, "After two millennia we have returned to our country, and Holy Jerusalem is again our capital. The find of the coin at these times, is a reminder for us of what happened in the past, teaching us the importance of working toward unity."