An Israel Defense Forces soldier discovered a rare 1,800-year-old coin during a training exercise, the Israel Antiquities Authority announced on Monday.

The coin features an image of the head of the Roman emperor Antonius Pius and was dated to 158-159 CE.

Donald Tzvi Ariel, head of the Israel Antiquities Authority's Numismatics Department, said that the coin was well-preserved and a rare find.

"This coin joins only eleven such coins from known locations in the National Treasures Department collection. All the coins were found in northern Israel, from Megiddo and Zippori to Tiberias and Arbel," Ariel said.

On its reverse was the Syrian god MEN, the moon god, and the phrase "of the people of Geva Phillipi."

The Israel Antiquities Authority said the coin was minted in Geva and was discovered in northern Israel, without giving further specifics of the location of the find.

Howard adds:

To read the complete article, see:
IDF soldier finds rare 1,800-year-old coin during training exercise in north(https://www.timesofisrael.com/idf-soldier-finds-rare-1800-year-old-coin-during-training-exercise-in-north/)

To read the complete article, see:
1800-year-old coin found by soldier offers look at ancient life in Israel(https://www.jpost.com/archaeology/1800-year-old-coin-found-by-soldier-offers-look-at-ancient-life-in-israel-658327)