A hiker exploring in the eastern Galilee area of Israel found a rare 2,000-year-old gold coin.
Israeli authorities said in press release that Laurie Rimon was hiking with a group at an archaeological site when she made the discovery.
In a video released by the Israel Antiquities Authority, Rimon said that she was sitting down taking a break at one of the ruins. When she got up to leave she looked down and saw something shiny in the grass.
She said that at first she thought it was toy, when her fellow hikers said otherwise.
“Laurie you’re a millionaire! This is amazing, it’s ancient, it’s gold,” said the women hiking with her, according to Rimon.
“I couldn’t really believe it,” said Rimon. “This is totally crazy.”
The coin is the second of its kind that has ever been found. The other coin is under the possession of the British Museum in London. According to the IAA, it dates back to the year A.D. 107, and features the face of Emperor Augustus.
Officials say the coin, which reads “Augustus Deified,” is part of a series of nostalgic coins that Emperor Trajan stamped and dedicated to the Roman emperors who ruled before him. Officials said the coin may have paid part of the salary of a Roman soldier.
“This is an extraordinarily remarkable and surprising discovery.” said the IAA’s Nir Distelfeld.
“I believe that soon, thanks to Laurie, the public will be able to enjoy this rare find.”
Another official in the video said that the coin is “extremely well-preserved” and is “a world class find.”
Since Rimon turned the object over to the Israel Antiquities Authority, she will be awarded a certificate of appreciation for good citizenship.
However, she said parting with the coin was not easy.
“After all, it is not every day one discovers such an amazing object,” she said, “but I hope I will see it displayed in a museum in the near future.”
