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Photo: Gold Coins found in Jerusalem

The Israel Antiquities Authority has announced that a large cache of 264 coins, all made of gold, was discovered among the ruins of the building in the City of David, in the walls around Jerusalem National Park.

According to the archeologists responsible for the excavation, all of the coins bear the likeness of the emperor Heraclius (610-641 CE). On the obverse, the coins bear the likeness of the emperor wearing military garb and holding a cross in his right hand, while the sign of the cross is on the reverse. These coins were minted at the beginning of Heraclius’ reign (between the years 610-613 CE), one year before the Persians conquered Byzantine Jerusalem (614 CE).

You can read the full press release issued by the Israel Antiquities Authority here and a news release by CNN here.

Claude Mariottini
Professor of Old Testament
Northern Baptist Seminary

Tags: Archaeology, Golden Coins, Emperor Heraclius

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