Divers uncover largest trove of gold coins ever discovered in Israel

[descent]

It was by pure chance that members of a diving club in the Roman-era port [of Caesarea] had come across the coins, which the authority said weighed nine kilograms (almost 20 pounds) but described as “priceless”.

“At first they thought they had spotted a toy coin from a game and it was only after they understood the coin was the real thing that they collected several coins and quickly returned to the shore in order to inform the director of the dive club about their find,” it said.

article in The Guardian



"the coins were meant to pay the salaries of the [11th century] Fatimid military garrison which was stationed in Caesarea"

article in the Jerusalem Post

 

[KathyV]

Here's a press release about the amazing discovery:
Israel Antiquities Authority

And a video:
'Priceless' Trove Of Ancient Gold Coins Discovered Off Coast Of Israel

 

[jejton]

Cool.


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[mikeycanuk]

I never find anything interesting like this!


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[KathyV]

More ancient treasures found in Israel, this time by cave explorers!

Cavers Find Ancient Hoard of Coins and Jewelry in Israel

 

[descent]

More ancient treasures found in Israel, this time by cave explorers!

A hedge during the Wars of the Diadochi? Unbelievably cool! Thank you!

 

[KathyV]

A hedge during the Wars of the Diadochi? Unbelievably cool! Thank you!

Your welcome and very cool! You know when when I was reading about this new find I suddenly remembered seeing someone on Antiques Roadshow that brought in rings/jewelry that had been buried by a refugee relative during World War II. The individual survived and went back and dug them up after the war.

This latest find in Israel made me think that "things really haven't changed much even though a lot of time has passed!"

I think that the Israeli Antiquities office should start offering a "finders fee" to honest citizens that turn in accidently discovered ancient treasures; they might recover a lot more of them!