‘Priceless’ trove of 2,000 10th century gold coins found off the coast of Israel

Scuba divers have uncovered the largest treasure trove ever discovered off Israel’s Mediterranean coast – but won’t get a penny.

The group initially thought they had found a toy coin on the ocean floor before tests confirmed the gold pieces were treasure.

Experts who eventually counted 2,000 pieces, dating back more than 1,000 years, described the discovery as ‘priceless.’ The coins are now property of the state with no finder’s fee for the divers.

Members of a diving club in the Roman-era port stumbled across the treasure, weighing nearly 20 pounds, by pure chance while on a dive.

‘The largest treasure of gold coins discovered in Israel was found in recent weeks on the seabed in the ancient harbour in Caesarea,’ said a statement by Israeli Antiquities Authority.

No finder’s fee – poor sods.

‘Priceless’ trove of 2,000 gold coins used by 10th Century Caliphate which once ruled much of the Middle East is found off the coast of Israel