While exploring the area around the hotel where he is currently evacuated, 11-year-old Nati Toyikar unexpectedly discovered a rare ancient coin dating back 2,000 years, from the time of the Hasmonean Kingdom. This information was recently announced by the Israel Antiquities Authority earlier this week.
Nati Toyikar was evacuated from his home in the Kibbutz Magen region following the Hamas attack. He is currently residing in one of the hotels for evacuees along the Dead Sea. During an exploratory trip here, he stumbled upon an ancient coin from the Hasmonean Kingdom during the reign of King Alexander Janai. Nati later submitted this artifact to the Israel Antiquities Authority.
Mr. Ronen, Nati’s father, shared: “After school, the kids occasionally go for walks and explore the area around the hotel. Nati is a curious boy who enjoys looking down and searching for interesting items. After the trip, Nati excitedly came to me and said he had found a small coin. We researched the coin online.”
“Then, at Nati’s suggestion, we called and reported this discovery to the Israel Antiquities Authority. This information immediately garnered significant interest from the agency, and archaeologist Alex Freiberg made every effort to meet Nati. He presented the boy with a certificate, which made Nati very happy.”
According to Dr. Robert Cole, Director of the Coin Branch at the Israel Antiquities Authority, “The coin that Nati found is a famous coin of the Hasmonean Kingdom during the reign of King Alexander Janai (104-76 BCE). The coin features an anchor symbol, surrounded by a Greek inscription that reads ‘Alexander Basileus,’ which means ‘(of) King Alexander.’”
Nati Toyikar, 11, who found the 2,000-year-old coin. (Photo: Israel Antiquities Authority).
The reverse side of the coin features a star with eight rays, encircled by a crown of kings. Between the rays, a small inscription can be seen. According to scientists, this inscription has only been partially decoded. It is the name and title of King Alexander Janai in ancient Hebrew.
The Hasmonean Kingdom reached its height of power and territorial expansion under Alexander Janai. As a Jewish figure and significant Greek ruler, he held the dual title of high priest and king—an important characteristic noted in the inscription on the coin.
The coin was minted in the 80s BCE in large quantities, and its widespread distribution in Israel and surrounding areas indicates the kingdom’s expansion under Janai’s rule.
“Coins of this type found along the shores of the Dead Sea are evidence of the king’s military and conquests against the Nabataean Kingdom in Jordan. These coins were used to pay the king’s soldiers in the construction and fortification of regional forts (such as Masada, Makhvar, Qumran) and also to build a fleet operating on the Dead Sea. This is likely the reason the anchor symbol appears on the coin,” Dr. Cole stated.
Meanwhile, two officials, Orit Apalo and Einat Kashi from the Israel Antiquities Authority, commented: “Since October 7, we have guided the educational centers of the Israel Antiquities Authority to organize and carry out exploratory activities at hundreds of hotels where evacuees are staying. Participants have the opportunity to escape the harsh reality and engage with the world of antiquities. We have met with residents of Kibbutz Magen as part of many activities conducted among the evacuees in the Dead Sea area. We are pleased that the younger generation is becoming aware of the importance of artifacts.”
