2016-09-14 Wed

The University of North Carolina at Charlotte’s archaeological excavation at Mount Zion in Jerusalem has yielded a rare coin belonging to the Roman Empire. The coin stands testament to the Roman Empire’s occupation of the ancient Jewish capital. Coins of this type are mostly found in private collections. This is the first one to be discovered at a scientific dig.

The coin, also known as an aureus, is struck from gold. The obverse bears a bare-headed left profile of a young Nero as Caesar. The inscription around the bust reads “NERO CAESAR AVG IMP”. The reverse of the coin depicts an oak wreath with the letters “EX S C” in it. Surrounding the wreath is the inscription “PONTIFF MAX TR P III”.

The inscriptions on the coin give us an idea of when it was minted. This one dates back to between 56 and 57 CE. Dr. David Jacobson is a renowned historian and numismatist hailing from London. He is credited with identifying this coin.

The aureus was discovered among the rubble of the ruins of the 1st century Jewish villas that the team is excavating. Jerusalem was destroyed by the Romans around 70 CE; a few years after the coin was struck. Nero’s image on the coin is a representation of Roman occupation of the region. It also sets a later date for the occupation of the residencies where it was discovered.

Nero was the last emperor belonging to the Julio-Claudian line. He ruled as Emperor for 14 years between 54 CE and 68 CE.