Old Caesarea

OLD CAESAREA
Fifth in the "Ancient Cities of the Holy Land" Numismatic Bullion Series

The city of Caesarea lies in the northern coastal plain of Israel and is one of the oldest cities in the land. Situated on the Mediterranean coast, with a history beginning as far back as the third century BCE, Caesarea began as a place of anchorage for ships. The city was named “Caesarea” in honor of the Roman Emperor Augustus Caesar, following its conquest by King Herod, towards the end of the first century BCE.

Becoming the capital of the Roman province of Judea and an important port city, Caesarea flourished with a variety of theaters and amphitheaters, cultural edifices, hippodrome, baths and temples for worship. 

Considering the times, many of the city’s buildings were built by advanced technology, befitting for Roman architecture. The largest artificial harbor to have been constructed in the open sea was built by Herod, and this constituted an amazingly impressive engineering project. Water was brought from a distance via a network of aqueducts, the biggest and most famous of the aqueducts being 12 kilometers long, of which remains 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 in 132-135 CE, in the aftermath of the destruction of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem in 70 CE by the Romans, the “Ten Martyrs” – ten of the greatest Jewish sages, including Rabbi Akiva – according to tradition, were tortured and executed in Caesarea.
• An esteemed Talmudic scholar, Rabbi Abbahu, was head of the Jewish Academy in Caesarea around the year 300 CE.  He had a special relationship with the Christian community and represented the Jewish population before the Roman authorities. The Talmud comments that with the passing of Rabbi Abbahu “even the marble pillars of Caesarea wept.”
• Hanna Senesh, the Jewish soldier parachutist and poet, renowned for her bravery during World War II, joined Kibbutz Sedot Yam, close to Caesarea. 

Situated alongside the ancient city, Caesarea has developed into a modern city, maintaining the vision of Herod the Great, who aspired to provide his citizens with a thriving and abundant city and good quality of life. 

Description
Face: Remains of the ancient aqueduct along the coast of Caesarea, with a view of the sea through one of its arches. Inscriptions in Hebrew and English: "Old Caesarea", "1oz. fine gold.9999" on the gold version, "1oz. fine silver.999" on the silver version, and the mint year 2025.

Common Reverse: Border inscriptions in English and Hebrew, "Ancient Cities in the Holy Land". In the center, a seven-branched Menorah candelabrum taken from an ancient Hasmonean Coin of Mattathias Antigonus (40 – 37 B.C.E).

Design: Meir Eshel
Minting: The Holy Land Mint