The first of its kind discovered in Israel: A rare coin, originating in Cyprus from about 2,500 years ago, was discovered on the beach in Ashdod.
Avi Chaprak, deputy director of the Coastal Department, usually helps residents and visitors locate jewelry, keys, and other items lost on the beach. About a month ago, during a scan intended to help locate lost items, he noticed an item of a completely different kind: an ancient coin.
Chaprak acted in accordance with the law, and submitted the coin for examination to the Israel Antiquities Authority.
After professional examination, it turned out that this was an extraordinary discovery: a very rare coin, the first of its kind discovered to date in Israel.
The coin was minted in the city of Salamis, Cyprus, around the middle of the 5th century BC. It is a silver coin from the Persian period, weighing about 11 grams, with a value of 'Siglos'.
""Upon closer examination of the coin, it appears that it is not made of silver, but of metal plated with silver, a phenomenon known in Cypriot silver coins from this period, given the shortage of silver on the island," says Yaniv David Levy, researcher and curator in the coinage branch of the Israel Antiquities Authority.
One side of the coin depicts a reclining ram facing left. The other side features a ram's head facing left, surrounded by a sunken square frame, indicating the minting method. Next to it is a laurel branch placed vertically, and below it are three symbols, apparently in the Cypriot syllabary.
""Coins of this size and value from the Persian period are rare in archaeological finds. Usually, silver coins of this size were not preserved intact: they were cut into small pieces, which were used as 'silver coins' in local trade. Evidence of such use is known mainly from sites inland. Therefore, the discovery of a complete coin in the coastal area is exceptional and of special importance.".
Evangeline Markou, an expert on ancient Cypriot coins from the Institute for Historical Research of the National Research Foundation of Greece in Athens: "Salamis coins from the 5th century BC are known to be widespread throughout the eastern Mediterranean, but finds whose discovery location is known and verified may provide significant information about the trade and traffic relations between Cyprus and the Land of Israel region during the Persian period.".
Yaniv David-Levi: "The circumstances of the discovery and the accurate reporting allow us, the researchers, not only to identify the coin itself, but also to use it as a source of information about economic and maritime ties that existed in the region some 2,500 years ago," says Yaniv David-Levi.
Chaprak was awarded a certificate of appreciation for the report and its transmission to the State Treasury.
""I am happy that I was privileged to be part of a discovery of historical value," he says. "For me, it was clear that the coin belonged to all of our heritage, so I immediately transferred it to the Israel Antiquities Authority. If through this act I contributed another small piece to the research and history of the Land of Israel, that is a great privilege for me.".
