A rare gold coin featuring Queen Berenice II of Egypt has been unearthed in Jerusalem's City of David, offering significant new perspectives on the city's historical standing during the Hellenistic period. The discovery, made by the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) in August 2025, dates back approximately 2,200 years.
The quarter-drachma, minted in nearly pure gold between 246 and 241 BCE, originates from the reign of Berenice's husband, Ptolemy III. This find is particularly noteworthy as it is one of only twenty such coins known globally, and until this discovery, all had been found exclusively in Egypt. Its presence in Jerusalem establishes a unique link between the Ptolemaic Kingdom of Egypt and the city, potentially reshaping scholarly understanding of Jerusalem's importance in the period following the First Temple's destruction.
The coin's obverse depicts Berenice adorned with a diadem, veil, and necklace, showcasing Hellenistic regal splendor. The reverse features a cornucopia, a symbol of abundance, flanked by stars, with the Greek inscription "of Queen Berenice." The coin also bears the title "Basilisses" ("of the Queen"), which scholars note as an early instance recognizing a Ptolemaic queen in her own right, suggesting Berenice's considerable political influence.
Excavator Rivka Langler described the find as "unbelievable," noting it was a special discovery she had anticipated. Scholars theorize the coin was minted in Alexandria and may have been distributed to soldiers returning from the Third Syrian War (246–241 BCE), a conflict between the Ptolemaic Kingdom of Egypt and the Seleucid Empire. This historical context is relevant to Jewish history, as the Seleucid dynasty later produced Antiochus IV Epiphanes, whose actions led to the Maccabean Revolt.
Dr. Robert Kool, Head of Numismatics at the IAA, and Dr. Haim Gitler, Chief Curator of Archaeology at the Israel Museum, emphasized the rarity and importance of the find, highlighting it as the first such coin discovered in a scientific excavation. They stated it offers crucial evidence of Jerusalem's integration into the Hellenistic world as it re-established its prominence after the First Temple's destruction. Yiftah Shalev, director of the Givati excavation, added that such discoveries challenge prior assumptions about Jerusalem's diminished status during the Persian and early Hellenistic eras, indicating a period of revival and growth under Ptolemaic influence.
Israel's Minister of Heritage, Amihai Eliyahu, remarked on the find's significance, stating that Jerusalem continues to reveal its historical layers. The gold coin of Berenice II is slated for its public debut in early September at the annual City of David Research Conference, where it will be displayed alongside other gold artifacts from the same excavation site.