An ancient coin of Antiochus IV, identified as "Antiochus the Evil", dating from the years 169 - 164 BC, was discovered today (Tuesday) in the house of a suspect, after he was caught this morning "red-handed" while walking around Ramot Menashe with a metal detector
During an operation by the MGB soldiers northwest of Kibbutz Ramat Hesofet, the soldiers identified the suspect, a 33-year-old resident of Kiryat Shmona, as he was operating the metal detector at the Mochraz Antiquities site. He was detained for questioning and ancient coins, digging tools and various metal detectors were found in his bag.
During the search, many findings were found that the suspect found in illegal land excavations throughout the north, including arrowheads, rings, make-up tools, buckles, lead objects and buttons, photo: Nir Distelfeld, Antiquities Authority
Additional findings found in the house of the suspect, who was arrested for questioning and later released, photo: Nir Distelfeld, Antiquities Authority
The other side of the found coin, photo: Nir Distelfeld, Antiquities Authority
The members of the Antiquities Authority's Robbery Prevention Unit were called to the scene, who searched the suspect's house and then detained him for questioning.
During the search, many findings were found that the suspect found in illegal land excavations throughout the north, including arrowheads, rings, make-up tools, buckles, lead objects and buttons.
The coin of Antiochus IV was one of the interesting finds found in the search of the house.
"Antiochus, the king of the Seleucid Kingdom, was officially called 'Epiphanes' - the face of God, but behind his back his subjects called him Epimanes - Antiochus the Mad," explained Dr. Danny Shion, coin researcher and retired Antiquities Authority. "Antiochus IV was indeed notorious as a bully The decrees on the Jews and the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem, and during his time the Hasmonean rebellion broke out, but economically, he also did good things for his empire: he granted special rights to 19 cities in the Seleucid kingdom, which included, among other things, minting special coins for each city.
The coin found in the suspect's house was minted in the city of Tzur, and it was common in Israel at that time."
Nir Distelfeld, the inspector of the robbery prevention unit at the Antiquities Authority in the northern region, said: "Although the find is beautiful and the timing of its discovery, before the Hanukkah holiday, is exciting, we must not forget that the suspect broke the law. Many looted finds were found in his house. The suspect claimed to be a geology enthusiast, and was looking for crystals quartz and metals, but "on the way", he also collected coins and ancient findings".
The discovered ancient coin, photo: Nir Distelfeld, Israel Antiquities Authority
Eli Escozido, director of the Antiquities Authority.
"Detaching the findings from their context harms the history of all of us", photo: Yaniv Berman, Antiquities Authority
Eli Escozido, director of the Antiquities Authority, said: "Removing ancient finds from the antiquities sites harms the possibility of researching the site and extracting knowledge from it. Disconnecting the finds from their context harms the history of all of us, and permanently removes priceless information from the eyes of researchers and the public."
The Antiquities Authority stated that searching for antiquities using metal detectors at antiquities sites in Israel, and even collecting antiquities, is prohibited by law.
The fixed penalty for committing these offenses is three years in prison.
At the end of his investigation, the suspect was released.
The metal detector is seen as a legal exhibit and in the coming days it will be decided by the Antiquities Authority if the suspect will be prosecuted.
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