Tourist finds cache of ancient gold coins in Jerusalem

Tuesday, December 23, 2008 |  Israel Today Staff  

A British tourist volunteering at an archeological dig in Jerusalem's "City of David" made an incredible find on Sunday - a cache of 264 gold coins dating to the rule of Roman Emperor Heraclius from 610-641 AD.

All of the coins bear the image of Heraclius on one side and a large cross on the other.

Archeologists overseeing the dig believe the coins were hidden shortly before Jerusalem fell to the Persians in 614 AD.

The City of David - the area that comprised the entirety of Jerusalem at the time of King David - lies just south of the present day Old City walls. Today it is more commonly known as the Arab village of Silwan, though the City of David Foundation has bought up much of the village for residential and archeological purposes.

Sign Up for Daily Email Updates

Keep up with events in Israel with our FREE daily email newsletter and special offers.

Current Issue
This month:
  • Winds of War in the North
  • Taking Yeshua at His Word
  • Mt. Hermon Pilgrimage Site
  • A Pearl in the Desert
  • Messianic Student Fellowship
  • Robots for the Elderly
  • and Much More...
Popular Posts
Netanyahu: Don
Iran might have elected a...
A Judeo-Christian party in Israel
Israel Today columnist reveals...