Discovery of important coins on Hannuka

In timing that is close to Hannuka, at which time the Maccabees defeated the Greeks, a beautiful coin that was minted by King Antiochus IV Epiphanes (175-163 BC) was discovered. The revolt led to the purification of the Temple by the Hasmoneans after Antiochus had plundered the treasures of the Temple and had established pagan worship there. On the coin can be seen the image of King Antiochus the Seleucid. The Temple Mount was the center of the events of the Hasmonean revolt and this is the importance of the coin that was discovered in dirt removed from this place.

In the digs, another coin was discovered, it having even greater importance for the understanding of Jewish history. This is a half shekel coin made of silver that was minted in the first year of the great revolt against the Romans (in the year 66/67 AD). On one side of the coin there is a branch with three pomegranates and the inscription "Jerusalem Holy". On the other side of the coin there is a chalice with the Omer and the inscription "a half shekel". These half shekel coins were used to pay the Temple tax and replaced the shekel coins from Tyre. These coins seem to have been minted in the Temp0le by the Temple authorities.

The half shekel tax to the Temple was based upon what is written in the Book of Numbers 30:11-15, a text that specifies that every Jew had to pay a half shekel to the Temple every year. The coin that was discovered is in excellent condition, despite being damaged slightly by fire, perhaps the fire that destroyed the Temple in the year 70 AD.

This is the first time such a coin has been discovered within the locus of the Temple. Similar coins had been discovered in the past in treasuries in the close region of Jerusalem, in digs in the Jewish Quarter and at Masada.

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