Photo shows the 1,650-year-old coin bearing the head of Roman Emperor Valentinian I was discovered in southern Israel. (Photo by the Israel Antiquities Authority)
JERUSALEM, Feb. 1 (Xinhua) -- A 1,650-year-old coin bearing the head of Roman Emperor Valentinian I was discovered in southern Israel, the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) said on Tuesday.
The coin, found by schoolchildren hiking in the Besor Stream area, bears the emperor's portrait on its obverse, along with his name and titles.
On the reverse appears an inscription associated with Roman ceremonies held once every few years in honor of the Roman emperors, according to the IAA.
The coin was struck in Antioch mint, located in today's northern Syria, it added.
The emperor, also called Valentinian the Great, ruled Rome from 364 to 375 AD.
He was considered a violent and cruel emperor by modern historians. During his reign, there were incessant wars along the borders of the empire. ■
