Scuba divers have inadvertently discovered the largest trove of gold coins ever found off Israel's Mediterranean coast.

About 2,000 pieces dating back more than 1,000 years were spotted on the seabed by members of a diving club, the Israeli Antiquities Authoritysaid.

At first the group thought the coins were toys, but quickly realised the significance of their discovery.

The Antiquities Authority said the find was "so valuable that it's priceless".

Divers were exploring an ancient harbour in Caesarea when they came across the gold. They collected several coins and quickly returned to theshore to inform the director of the club.

Experts from the authority called to the site uncovered "almost 2,000 gold coins in different denominations" circulated by the FatimidCaliphate, which ruled much of the Middle East and North Africa from 909 to 1171.

The haul, which weighs 9kg (20lb), is believed to have been exposed as a result of winter storms.

It is now the property of the state and there was no finders' fee.

To read the complete article, see:
Israeli divers chance upon 'priceless' treasure on seabed(www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-31517433)

Kobi Sharvit, director of the marine archaeology unit at the Israel Antiquities Authority, saidexcavations would be carried out in the hope of shedding more light on the origin of the treasure.

"There is probably a shipwreck there of an official treasury boat which was on its way to the central government in Egypt with taxes that had beencollected," said Sharvit.

"Perhaps the treasure of coins was meant to pay the salaries of the Fatimid military garrison which was stationed in Caesarea and protected thecity.

"Another theory is that the treasure was money belonging to a large merchant ship that traded with the coastal cities and the port on theMediterranean Sea and sank there," he said.

To read the complete article, see:
Divers find'priceless' hoard of gold coins off Israel's Mediterranean coast(www.theguardian.com/world/2015/feb/18/divers-find-priceless-trove-of-gold-coins-off-israels-mediterranean-coast)

To read the complete article, see:
'Priceless'trove of 2,000 gold coins used by 10th Century Caliphate which once ruled much of the Middle East is found off the coast of Israel(www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2957563/Priceless-trove-2-000-gold-coins-used-10th-Century-Caliphate-ruled-Middle-East-coast-Israel.html)