The Israel Antiquities Authority reported a thrilling find Sunday — the discovery of 264 ancient gold coins in Jerusalem National Park.

The coins were minted during the early 7th century.

“This is one of the largest and most impressive coin hoards ever discovered in Jerusalem — certainly the largest and most important of its period,” said Doron Ben-Ami and Yana Tchekhanovets, who are directing the excavation on behalf of the Israel Antiquities Authority.

Researchers discovered the coins at the beginning of the eight-day Jewish holiday of Hanukkah, which started at sunset on Sunday.

One of the customs of the holiday is to give “gelt,” or coins, to children, and the archaeologists are referring to the find as “Hanukkah money.”

Nadine Ross, a British archaeological volunteer, happened onto the coins during the dig just below the walls of the Old City of Jerusalem.

“To be honest, I just thought, ‘Thank God I didn’t throw it in the rubbish bucket,’ ” said Ross, who had taken four weeks off from her engineering job in England to work at the site. “I was just glad I sort of spotted it before I disturbed it too much.” (more…)

One of the largest deposits of Roman coins ever recorded in Wales, has been declared treasure trove.

Nearly 6,000 copper alloy coins were found buried in two pots in a field at Sully, Vale of Glamorgan by a local metal detector enthusiast in April.

After the ruling by the Cardiff coroner, a reward is likely to be paid to the finder and landowner.

It is hoped the coins will be donated to National Museum Wales, which has called the find “exceptional”.

Two separate hoards were found by the metal detectorist on successive days, one involving 2,366 coins and the other 3,547 coins, 3m away.

The 1,700-year-old coins dated from the reigns of numerous emperors, notably Constantine I (the Great, AD 307-37), during whose time Christianity was first recognised as a state religion.

Edward Besly, the museum’s coin specialist called it an “exceptional find”.

He said: “The coins provide further evidence for local wealth at the time. They also reflect the complex imperial politics of the early fourth century.”

‘Time of danger’

It is thought the two hoards were buried by the same person, possibly two years apart. A similar find was uncovered in the area in 1899.

“There was quite a bit of Roman activity in the area at the time, southwards from Cardiff Castle, where there was a Roman fort, to the Knap at Barry where there was an administrative building and there were farms in the Sully area,” said Mr Besly. (more…)

Fewer than 7,200 collector-grade coins available for purchase

Sailing in haste with hopes to escape an impending attack by the British and Dutch armies, the São José ultimately met her demise in 1622. For nearly 400 years the treasures onboard from the Portuguese Empire were lost along with the carrack. For the first time ever after their spectacular 2005 recovery by Arqueonautas Worldwide, which holds the title to the São José, these legendary coins are now available for private ownership. Odyssey Marine Exploration, Inc. has secured exclusive rights to broker the coins from the São José shipwreck. Fewer than 7,200 collector-grade coins have been recovered.

Under the command of Francisco da Gama, the great grandson of the legendary explorer Vasco da Gama, the São José was the flagship of a fleet on a mission for Phillip III, King of Spain and Portugal, carrying an impressive cargo of silver coins. Francisco was also on his way to reign as the Viceroy of India. However, the São José never reached her destination when after the British and Dutch attacks she perished off the coast of Mozambique.

The São José carried an impressive cargo, the legendary silver treasure of Philip III, King of Portugal, that had been handed over to Francisco da Gama on his way to India. The shipment included nine chests filled with thousands of silver reales coins produced in both the Old and New World mints.

“This historic find offers a very rare opportunity for coin collectors. The São José collection is composed of a unique assortment of Old World and New World mints, laden with rich history, and there are only very few coins available for sale considering the size of the world-wide coin collecting community” said John Longley, Odyssey’s Director of Business Development.

“The Portuguese 1622 São José is an outstanding discovery for two reasons – for her cultural and historical significance accompanying the Vice Roy of India to Goa, and for her commercial value carrying the “Kings money” which we were able to recover from the shipwreck. These coins provide scientific proof of the importance of the Spanish Real as the only true global currency of its time. Some of the coins on board were found to have changed ownership three times in a period of only 12 months moving half around the globe,” commented Niki Graf Sandizell, CEO of Arqueonautas.

According to historic coin expert and author Carol Tedesco, a treasure of this nature does not come along very often. “Not only does the assortment include some truly rare varieties, the treasure features an amazing scope of world-wide commerce in the 16th and 17th century,”
Tedesco commented. (more…)