The Israel Tourism Board announced on August 22 that a rare gold coin from the Hellenistic era, depicting Egyptian Queen Berenice II from approximately 2,200 years ago, was recently discovered during the excavation of the City of David in Jerusalem. According to the Tourism Board, the gold coin and additional artifacts unearthed in this excavation are significant as they offer a new perspective on Jerusalem during the Hellenistic period.
During the Givati excavation at the City of David National Park, conducted by the Israel Antiquities Authority, a small but extremely rare gold coin was found bearing the portrait of Egypt’s Hellenistic Queen Berenice II (246-222 BCE). This coin, a 25-cent drachma made of pure gold (99.3%), was minted around 246-241 BCE and is believed to have been issued for Queen Berenice II during the reign of her husband, Ptolemy III, a Hellenistic ruler of Egypt.
Dr. Ifta Shalhev holding a gold coin. Emil Alazem · Israel Antiquities Authority · Israel Tourism Board
The obverse side of the coin features Queen Berenice of the Hellenistic era, wearing a crown, a veil, and a necklace. The reverse side depicts a cornucopia-an ancient symbol of abundance and fertility-flanked by two stars, along with a Greek inscription that reads "of Queen Berenice."
The rare gold coin, together with other gold jewelry, will be released to the public as part of the 26th City of David Research Conference, scheduled to be held in early September this year.
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