Excavations at Mount Zion in Jerusalem, Israel, revealed a rare golden coin. It bears the image of Roman emperor Nero and can be dated to 56/57 AD.

The golden coin, aureus, bears the portrait of the young emperor Nero depicted as Caesar on the averse. The image is accompanied by the legend: NERO CAESAR AVG IMP. On the reverse a depiction of an oak wreath is shown with the letters: EX S C and PONTIF MAX TR P III. The coin was found in rubble material outside the ruins of the 1st century Jewish villas and is said to pre-date the destruction of Jerusalem by Romans in 70 AD. The mansion in which it was found was equipped with a Jewish ritual pool (mikveh) and a bathroom. This building, along with others, was probably destroyed by the order of Titus and the Roman legions, when Jerusalem was razed to the ground.

(after PhysOrg)