Hiker Discovers Rare Coin, One of Only Two Known Copies

As far as rare coins go, this one is hard to top: the nearly 2000-year-old artifact recently discovered in Israel is one of only two known coins of its kind, the BBC reports.

Laurie Rimon noticed the shiny object hidden in the grass when hiking with a group of friends in eastern Galilee. The Roman coin—featuring the profile of Emperor Augustus—was minted by Emperor Trajan in 107 CE, as part of a nostalgic series honoring rulers of the past.

According to the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA), the organization currently in possession of the item, the coin's only other known match is at the British Museum in London, which houses close to a million historic pieces of currency.

Rimon told the BBC that turning over her find wasn't easy to do, but that she hopes to "see it displayed in a museum in the near future." The IAA reports that the coin will soon be made available for public viewing, and in the meantime Rimon will be awarded a certificate of appreciation for good citizenship.

Israel Antiquities Authority

[h/t BBC]