In a remarkable archaeological find near the city of Yavne in Israel’s central district, teenage volunteers have stumbled upon a treasure trove of early Islamic gold coins dating back to the Abbasid period, approximately 1,100 years ago.
Dating back to the Abbasid period of around 1,100 years ago, the collection of 425 coins, some of which are pictured, is an ‘extremely rare’ find, Israel Antiquities Authorities experts said
The discovery, made during an excavation that commenced on August 18, 2020, has astounded experts from the Israel Antiquities Authority. The collection comprises 425 24-carat gold coins, along with numerous smaller clippings, believed to have served as smaller denominations of currency in ancient times.
The trove, some of which is pictured, also included hundreds of smaller clippings, made from other gold coins, that would have served as smaller denominations of currency
Excavation director Liat Nadav-Ziv expressed astonishment at the find, noting that the treasure was hidden within a clay vessel, suggesting that its owner had intended to retrieve it. However, for reasons unknown, the coins remained undisturbed for over a millennium.
The coins date back to the late 9th century, at the height of the Abbasid Caliphate that once controlled the lion’s share of the Near East and North Africa, explained Antiquities Authority numismatist Robert Kool. Pictured, one of the coins
According to Antiquities Authority numismatist Robert Kool, the coins date back to the late 9th century, a period when the Abbasid Caliphate held sway over vast territories in the Near East and North Africa. At the time of their burial, these coins would have held substantial value, affording their owner considerable purchasing power.
Pictured, Israeli archaeologist Shahar Krispin displays one of the 425 gold coins that were discovered at the site
The significance of this discovery extends beyond mere monetary value. It offers a rare glimpse into a period of history still shrouded in mystery, shedding light on the economic activities and trade networks of the Abbasid era.
Stashed away within a clay vessel, the coins were discovered at the site, pictured — which is to be built into a new neighbourhood — on August 18, 2020
Oz Cohen, one of the young volunteers involved in the excavation, described the excitement of uncovering the ancient treasure, likening the experience to uncovering “very thin leaves” that turned out to be gold coins. The discovery underscores the vital role of community engagement in preserving and uncovering humanity’s shared heritage.
At the time they were stashed, the coins would have been worth a significant amount of money, explained Antiquities Authority numismatist Robert Kool. Pictured, Israeli archaeologist Shahar Krispin counts some of the gold coins
This remarkable find adds to Israel’s rich tapestry of archaeological treasures. It joins the ranks of other notable discoveries, such as the 2,000 gold coins recovered off the coast of Caesarea in 2015, dating back to the 10th–11th century Fatimid period.
The Yavne discovery, pictured, represents one of the largest collections of ancient coins ever found within Israel. In 2015, amateur divers found around 2,000 gold coins — dating back to the 10th–11th century Fatimid period — off the coast of the ancient port city of Caesarea
As experts delve deeper into the study of this newfound hoard, they hope to unlock further insights into a bygone era, enriching our understanding of the past and the civilizations that once flourished in the region.
The Yavne discovery stands as a testament to the enduring allure of archaeology and the invaluable contributions of volunteers in uncovering humanity’s ancient past.