Two exceptionally rare ancient coins, believed to have been illegally smuggled from Israel, were repatriated by the United States this week, according to the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA).

The formal handover occurred during a ceremony in New York City on Monday, resulting from a collaborative effort between the IAA's Theft Prevention Unit, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Antiquities Trafficking Unit of the Manhattan District Attorney's Office.

Illegally excavated and smuggled out of Israel, the coins surfaced in the US and were slated for auction recently.

Acting on intelligence from the IAA's Theft Prevention Unit about the impending sales, US authorities launched an investigation targeting the auction houses and sellers involved.

Investigators swiftly gathered evidence, leading to the seizure of the coins from the auction house for their return to Israel.

One coin prominently displays the seven-branched menorah from the Temple in Jerusalem. Minted during the rule of the final Hasmonean king, Mattathias Antigonus - who governed from 40 to 37 BCE - it stands out as one of the earliest known depictions of the menorah and the sole Jewish coin to feature this seven-branched candelabrum.

The reverse side shows the showbread table, a key Temple artifact.

The IAA explains that Antigonus, serving as both king and high priest, chose these distinctly Jewish symbols to rally support amid his conflict with rival Herod, backed by Roman forces.

Given its extreme rarity and status as the last emblem of Hasmonean sovereignty, this coin type is classified as an Item of National Importance, prohibiting its export from Israel.

The other coin is a silver tetradrachm from the Persian period, over 2,500 years old, minted in ancient Ascalon (now Ashkelon).

This marks only the second such coin ever discovered, rendering it among the rarest from ancient Israel; the first resides in the Israel Museum's collection.

Like its counterpart, it is restricted from export due to its scarcity.

Its design echoes the iconic Athenian tetradrachm, prevalent in the Eastern Mediterranean then.

One face bears the helmeted goddess Athena, the other an owl with wings outstretched. Above the owl, Phoenician letters Aleph and Nun abbreviate Ascalon, the mint's name.

(Photo: Eitan Klein / Israel Antiquities Authority)

Combating the Global Antiquities Trade

These remarkable coins embody a vital segment of history now restored to its origin, stated Colonel Matthew Bogdanos, head of the Manhattan DA's Antiquities Trafficking Unit, at the ceremony. He praised the partnership with the IAA as a blueprint for repatriating looted artifacts worldwide.

Dr. Eitan Klein, IAA Deputy Director for Theft Prevention, who attended the New York event, stressed that curbing the illicit antiquities market demands global teamwork among nations and law enforcement.

Archaeologist Ilan Hadad, IAA inspector for antiquities trade, called it a troubling global issue that fuels looting and devastates cultural treasures for profit.

Thousands of years-old Israeli artifacts are plundered, smuggled, and marketed overseas for gain, he noted, as the IAA fights to safeguard the nation's heritage.

Heritage Minister Amichai Eliyahu lauded the repatriation and US collaboration in reclaiming Israel's historical narrative, beyond security matters.

Antiquities theft seeks to sever our historical ties and roots, but it will fail, Eliyahu affirmed. Israel will persist in firm action with international allies to halt this scourge and defend its legacy.