Hiker found a rare 2,000 years old gold coin

Laurie Rimon was hiking with her friends at archaeological sites in eastern Galilee when viewing shiny object in the grass. After realizing that was a coin, the group guide named Irit Zuk Kovacsi contacted the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA). Within a few hours, the IAA representative was came and joined the group on the field and took over ownership of the coin.

"It's not every day people find amazing things, but I hope to see the gold was displayed in the museum in the near future," said Rimon.

The front of the rare coin found by a hiker in northern Israel. (Picture from: http://adf.ly/1YSRrp)

The coins found by Rimon was not an ordinary coin. Through a series of tests showed that the coins dating from the year of 107 AD. This coin is part of a series of nostalgic coin minted by emperor Trajan and dedicated to the Roman emperors who led earlier. The only other coin of this kind is believed to be one of the collection of the British Museum.

Chief curator of the coins department of IAA, Donald T. Ariel said that two other gold coins of this emperor has been registered in the country's wealth. One coin comes from Giv'at Shaul near Jerusalem, and other coins from the area of ​​Qiryat Gat. However, they are different details with detail on the coins were found by Rimon.

The back of the rare coin. (Picture from: http://adf.ly/1YSRrp)

"This is a remarkable discovery and surprise. I believe that thanks to Laurie, pretty soon people will be able to enjoy this rare discovery," said Nir Distelfeld, an Inspector of IAA's Antiquities Robbery Prevention Unit.

Danny Syon, a senior collector at the IAA, said one side of the coin shows the symbol of the Roman legions next to the name of  emperor Trajan. On the other side, there is a portrait of the glorified emperor Augustus.

The coin like this could describe the Roman army in the region at the 2,000 years ago. "Maybe in the context of supporting the activities of the Bar Kokhba in Galilee, but it is very difficult to determine just on the basis of one coin," said Ariel.

"Historical sources describe the period records that several Roman soldiers are paid high salaries, amounting to three gold coins, which is equivalent to 75 silver coins as payment per day," said Ariel.

He added that although it has a lot of gold coins, the soldiers have trouble buying goods on the market with such coins, often because traders can not give the money returns to them.

"Bronze and silver coins from the era of emperor Trajan more common in the country, gold coins are very rare," said Ariel. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | NPR]

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