Ancient Cypriot Silver Coin Found on Ashdod's Shore Offers New Insight Into 2,500-Year-Old Trade
The rare 2,500-year-old siglos may have a silver coating over base metal, and researchers say it could reflect a shortage of silver on Cyprus.
- On Sunday, the Israel Antiquities Authority announced that Ashdod Beaches Department Deputy Director Avi Chaprak discovered a 2,500-year-old Cypriot coin on an Ashdod beach last month, the first of its kind ever found in Israel.
- Experts identified the coin as a "siglos" minted in Salamis during the mid-5th century BCE under Persian rule, weighing approximately 11 grams according to researchers at the Israel Antiquities Authority Coin Department.
- Closer examination revealed the coin is base metal plated with silver, a "known phenomenon in Cypriot silver coins" caused by silver shortages on the island, said Yanniv David Levy, researcher and curator at the Israel Antiquities Authority Coin Department.
- Heritage Minister Rabbi Amichai Eliyahu called the discovery "tangible evidence" of ancient maritime and commercial ties between Cyprus and the Land of Israel, offering researchers insight into regional economic history 2,500 years ago.
- Chaprak received a certificate of appreciation from the Israel Antiquities Authority for responsibly reporting the find, with officials emphasizing that public cooperation preserves heritage assets and deepens knowledge of the country's past.
12 Articles
12 Articles
Rare 2,500-Year-Old Cypriot Coin Found on Israeli Beach, First of Its Kind in Israel
JERUSALEM (VINnews) — A rare 2,500-year-old coin minted in ancient Cyprus has been discovered on a beach in the Israeli city of Ashdod, marking the first known find of its kind in Israel, the Israel Antiquities Authority said. The coin was found about a month ago by Avi Chaprak, deputy director of Ashdod’s Beaches Department, […]
Rare ancient Cypriot coin discovered in Israel
A rare 2,500-year-old coin minted in ancient Salamis has been discovered on a beach in Israel after a municipal worker searching for lost valuables uncovered it in the sand. The silver-plated coin was found by Avi Chaprak, deputy director of Ashdod’s beaches department, while scanning the shoreline for jewellery and other items lost by beachgoers. […]
Ancient Cypriot silver coin found on Ashdod's shore offers new insight into 2,500-year-old trade
The approximately 2,500-year-old coin was located by Ashdod Beaches Department Deputy Director Avi Chaprak during a search to locate objects lost by visitors to the beach.
Jewish News Syndicate
The Jewish ChroniclePersian-era coin from Cyprus surfaces on Israeli beach
A deputy director of the Ashdod Beaches Department, who typically helps bathers find jewelry and belongings lost in the sand, discovered a 2,500-year-old coin from Cyprus, the Israel Antiquities Authority announced on Sunday.Avi Chaprak, deputy director of the department, was searching for lost objects on an Ashdod beach about a month ago when he came across the ancient coin. He submitted the find to the Israel Antiquities Authority. An examinat…
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 60% of the sources lean Right
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
