Israel. Latest Numismatic Bullion Series Ancient Cities of the Holy Land Features Old Caesarea

The fifth design in this notable series features references to the city of Old Caesarea which lies in the northern coastal plain of Israel and is one of the oldest cities in the holy land. Situated on the Mediterranean coast, with a history beginning as far back as the third century BC, Caesarea began as a place of anchorage for all kinds of ships. The city was named Caesarea in honour of the Roman Emperor Augustus Caesar, following its conquest by King Herod, towards the end of the first century BC.Eventually, the port became the capital of the Roman province of Judea and an important port city in its own right. Caesarea flourished with a variety of stadiums and amphi-theatres, cultural structures, ornate public baths and temples for worship. 

Taking into consideration the era, many of the city’s buildings were constructed utilising advanced technology and befitting for Roman architecture. The largest artificial harbour to have been constructed in the open sea was ordered by King Herod, and which constituted an amazingly impressive engineering project. Water was brought from a distance via a network of aqueducts, the biggest and most famous of these aqueducts being 12 kilometres or 7.5 miles long, of which much of the remains still survive and can be seen along the Mediterranean shore to this day.

The history of Caesarea is also interwoven with poignant events and figures that have left an indelible mark on Jewish heritage. During the Bar Kochba revolt of the Jews from 132 to 135 AD, in the aftermath of the destruction of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem in 70 AD by the Romans, the “Ten Martyrs” – ten of the greatest Jewish sages, including Rabbi Akiva (50 – 135 AD) – according to tradition, were tortured and executed in Caesarea. In the year 300 AD, the esteemed Talmudic scholar, Rabbi Abbahu (c 279 – 320 AD) was head of the Jewish Academy in Caesarea.  He enjoyed a special relationship with the Christian community and represented the Jewish population before the Roman authorities. The Talmud records that with the passing of Rabbi Abbahu ‘even the marble pillars of Caesarea wept’. More recently, Hanna Senesh (1921 – 1944), the Hungarian Jewish soldier parachutist and poet, renowned for her bravery during World War II, joined Kibbutz Sedot Yam, which was located close to Old Caesarea. As a Special Operations Executive member, Senesh was one of 37 Jewish SOE recruits from the Palestinian Mandate territory who was parachuted by the British into Yugoslavia during the Second World War. Her mission was to assist anti-Nazi forces and ultimately rescue Hungarian Jews about to be deported to Auschwitz.

Today, Caesarea, which is situated alongside its ancient boundaries, has developed into a modern city, maintaining the vision of Herod the Great, who aspired to provide his citizens with a thriving metropolis of abundance and a high quality of life.

The gold and silver numismatic bullion pieces are commissioned and produced by the Holy Land Mint at their facilities in Nesher, Haifa and designed by Meir Eshel. The obverse side features a portion of the remaining ruins of the ancient aqueduct along the coast of Caesarea, with a view of the sea through one of its arches. Above the primary design along the upper rim is the inscription OLD CAESAREA shown in both English and Hebrew. Along the lower rim is the specifications and year of release of the medal 2025 · 1oz. FINE GOLD .9999 or 2025 · 1oz. FINE SILVER .999 which is also shown in Hebrew. The reverse side which is common to the series features a seven-branched Menorah candelabrum inspired from an ancient Hasmonean Coin of Mattathias Antigonus (40 – 37 BC) which is centred. Above the motif is the text in Hebrew ערים עתיקות בארץ הקודש and below in English ANCIENT CITIES OF THE HOLY LAND. 

Each gold and silver option is encapsulated and presented in a custom Holy Land-branded case accompanied with a certificate of authenticity. For additional information, please visit the e-webshop of the Holy land Mint.