Rare 2,000-year-old coin found in Samaria

“Every archaeological finding has a story behind it that sheds more light on the history of the Land of Israel and the people of Israel.

By Aryeh Savir, TPS

An ancient and rare coin from the time of King Agrippa I and the last days of the Second Temple was discovered at Nahal Shiloh (Shiloh Stream) in the Samaria region.

A student on a school trip last week found the coin in the eastern part of the stream.

Notified of the discovery, the IDF’s archaeology unit at the Civil Administration sent an inspector to the site to collect the treasure.

Agrippa I (11 BCE – 44 CE) was king of Judea from 41 to 44 CE. He was a descendant of the Hasmonean dynasty and Herod’s great-grandson.

One side of the coin bares three sheaves of wheat, and the other has a royal canopy surrounded by the minted inscription “King Agrippa.”

“This is a moving find. Every archaeological finding has a story behind it that sheds more light on the history of the Land of Israel and the people of Israel, “said Hanania Hezmi, the IDF officer in charge of the archaeology staff. “These findings complete another part of the puzzle of the history of our people.”

The coin was transferred to the archaeological staff officer and will be preserved as part of the state’s treasures.