A rare, 2,500-year-old silver-coated coin from ancient Cyprus was discovered on a beach in Ashdod, Israel, on July 26, 2026. The artifact was found by Avi Tsaprak, deputy director of the Ashdod Municipality Beach Department, while he was searching for lost items along the shoreline. Recognizing the historical significance of the object, Tsaprak surrendered it to the Israel Antiquities Authority in compliance with local legal requirements.

The coin is identified as a silver-coated 'siglos' weighing approximately 11 grams. It was minted in the ancient city of Salamis in eastern Cyprus during the 5th century B.C., a time when the island was under Persian rule. The coin features images of a ram and a ram's head, accompanied by ancient Cypriot inscriptions. Experts noted that while the piece initially appeared to be solid silver, testing revealed it was crafted from a base metal core with a silver coating, a technique used at the time due to a local shortage of precious metals. According to the Israel Antiquities Authority, the find provides significant insights into ancient trade routes and maritime relations between Cyprus and the Levant. The coin is currently being held by the Israel Antiquities Authority for further study.