Divers Find Pristine Fatimid Caliphate Gold Coins Off Israeli Coast

Divers recently made a find in Israel. The coins are worth about $1m but more remarkable for their historical value and pristine condition:

At least 2,000 gold coins dating back over 1,000 years were found 12 meters underwater by a group of scuba divers earlier in February, who quickly reported the discovery to their the diving club manager, who then called in Israel Antiquities Authority officials.

Antiquities Authority divers, using metal detectors, went back to the site along with the original divers, and uncovered six kilograms worth of golden coins, which had been exposed due to winter storms, according to the authority’s statement.

They expect to find more coins in the area.

“The gold coins are in excellent condition, and despite remaining at the bottom of the sea for over 1,000 years, they did not need any conservation lab treatment,” Robert Cole, a coins expert at the Antiquities Authority said. Some of the coins were bent and had bite marks, indicating a physical authenticity check, according to Cole.

Massive trove of ancient gold coins found off coast  (The Times of Israel)