One of the largest hoards of ancient coins ever found in the Jordan Valley region was unearthed by Israeli archaeologists last week. The coins date back over 2,000 years and were likely minted under King Alexander Jannaeus, the second ruler of Judea’s Hasmonean dynasty.
Ancient Coin Hoard Is “A Distinct Find”
A team of Israeli archaeologists from the Zinman Institute of Archaeology at the University of Haifa found the ancient coins in the Jordan Valley region, which is situated between the eastern border of Jordan and the Isreal-occupied West Bank. The approximately 160 coins all date back to the reign of King Alexander Jannaeus, who ruled over Judea from 104 to 76 BCE as part of the Hasmonean dynasty.
“It was clear from the first moment that the coins were a distinct find, and most of the coins were of a similar type,” said Dr. Shai Bar, a lead researcher from the University of Haifa. Bar also noted that the ancient coins are set to be carefully cleaned, photographed, and cataloged.
Ancient Coins Date Back to About 80 BCE
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Sign up to our Free Weekly NewsletterEach ancient coin bears an eight-pointed star and the phrase “King Alexander 25” inscribed in Aramaic. According to archaeologists, these coins can be precisely dated to about 80 BCE. Bar explained, “From the moment we have these coins, which date from the time of Alexander Jannaeus, with all the other finds there…we are given a very precise time capsule, something that does not always happen in archaeology.”
The coins were hidden within a previously unknown way station in the Jordan Valley. Its remains are situated along the road that leads to the Alexandrion Fortress, which Alexander Jannaeus built.
An “Archaeological Hanukkah Miracle”
University students and volunteers joined archaeologists at the Jordan Valley dig site last week. Together, they unearthed the ancient coins on Friday, December 27—the third day of Hanukkah. They described the discovery as an “archaeological Hanukkah miracle.” Notably, King Alexander Jannaeus descended from the leaders of the Maccabean Revolt. In 164 BCE, the Maccabees captured Jerusalem from the tyrannical Seleucid Empire, a Greek state. The subsequent rededication of the temple in Jerusalem marked the first celebration of Hanukkah.
