IDF soldier Ido Gardi was in the middle of an armed exercise on the slopes of Mount Carmel in northern Israel when he noticed something strange on the ground. These were rare ancient coins, with a prominent Roman emperor’s head and dating from 158–159 CE.
Dr. Donald Tzvi Ariel, head of the Department of Numismatics of the Archaeological Authority of Israel (IAA), said the medal is only one of 11 held by the Department of National Treasury in its collection. “All the coins were found in northern Israel, from Megiddo and Zippori to Tiberias and Arbel,” he said.
Across the coin, headed by Roman Emperor Antoninus Pius
(Photo: Antiquarian Authority of Israel)
On the other side is the head of the Roman emperor Antoninus Pius, who ruled in 138–161 CE, and the other side depicts the Syrian god MEN (the moon god).
Dr. Avner Ecker, a lecturer in classical archeology at Bar-Ilan University’s Department of Land Studies and Archeology, explained that the medal is one of the city’s coins recorded in the city of Geva Philippi, known as also Geva Parashim (known as the “City of” Cavalry “because Herod stationed his cavalry forces there).
In Roman times, cities known as poleis were allowed to cut their own coins. The year marked on the medal was the year in which the city council was formed and the citizens were allowed to govern themselves under the Roman Empire.
The back of the coin shows the Syrian-god moon men
(Photo: Antiquarian Authority of Israel)
Geva is an ancient settlement, described by Josephus as a town situated on the gullies at the edge of the Jezreel Valley. During the Great Revolution, in 66-70 CE, local and Roman forces marched out to fight Jewish rebels near Bet She’arim.
Excavations carried out by Ilan Bar University on the site last summer found the remains of fortifications and buildings dating back from the Hellenistic to Byzantine times.
Nir Distelfeld, an investigator for IAA’s Northern District robbery prevention unit, argued that the coin may have been lost by its owner on one of the old roads – until an IDF soldier saw it nearby. on 2,000 years later.
Ido Gardi received a certificate of appreciation for good citizenship from IAA inspector Nir Distelfeld
(Photo: Antiquarian Authority of Israel)
“This is an opportunity for any members of the public to find coins, or other antiquities, to report to the Israeli Antiquities Authority,” he said.
He affirmed that antiquities are national treasures, their active search is prohibited, and any information must be reported to the authority.
“Gardi showed exceptional civic behavior and we hope he will set an example for others who find ancient finds,” Distelfeld said.
Gardi received a certificate of appreciation for good citizenship.