Great Discoveries: Rare Half-Shekel Silver Coin Found in Desert – WorthPoint

The First Jewish Revolt against the Roman Empire began in 66 AD. The Jews expelled the Romans from Jerusalem and established a government that remained in place for approximately four years. Eventually, the Jewish state collapsed—but remnants from the revolt are still being discovered today.

Recently, researchers from the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) found a rare “half-shekel” silver coin dating back to the time of the First Jewish Revolt, Newsweek reported. They found the coin during a survey of a desert east of Jerusalem in the Ein Gedi Nature Reserve, located on the Dead Sea’s western shore.

IAA researchers said the coin was minted in Jerusalem and dates to AD 66–67. One side of the coin features the phrase “The Holy Jerusalem” in ancient Hebrew script and a depiction of three pomegranates. The other side depicts a chalice and the letter “Aleph,” which denotes the revolt’s first year and the coin’s value.

To date, IAA researchers said they are uncertain about how the coin ended up in the Ein Gedi Nature Reserve. They have speculated that the coin may have fallen out of the pocket of a rebel who escaped to the desert during the revolt.

At the time of the First Jewish Revolt, it was common for rebels to mint silver and bronze coins with Jewish symbols, Newsweek indicated. Rebels used these coins as part of their own sovereign economic system. But, finding a coin from this particular period is rare, and experts say a search of the entire Judean Desert is now necessary.

Those who want to view other half-shekel coins dating back hundreds or thousands of years can see hundreds of other items in the WorthPoint® database.

Dan Kobialka is a self-employed content writer and editor with about a decade of experience. He produces content across a wide range of industries, including antiques, insurance, and real estate. To learn more about Dan, please visit his website. 

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