A rare 2,000-year-old silver coin was found by an 11-year-old girl in Jerusalem, the Israel Antiquities Authority announced Tuesday. The coin was likely minted by a priest who joined the Jewish rebels in the revolt ahead the Romans, shortly before the Temple was destroyed.

"This is a rare find, since out of many thousands of coins discovered to date in archeological excavations, only about 30 coins are coins made of silver, from the period of the Great Revolt,” said Dr. Robert Kool, Head of the Coin Department at the IAA.

The coin is made of pure silver and weighs about 14 grams. On one side it features a cup and the inscription “Israeli shekel” and “second year” – referring to the second year of the revolt (67-68 CE). On the other, another inscription reads “Holy Jerusalem” in ancient Hebrew script and it is accompanied by another word which according to the experts refers to the headquarters of the High Priest in the Temple.

At the time, minting coins was an act to express sovereignty.... Read More: JPost