WATCH: Discovering Israel's rich history - A look at the Widow's Mite, a coin from Second Temple era

Our new video series unearths hidden stories of faith, culture and power in Israel's rich history. Each episode reveals how these tiny treasures offer a window into bygone eras, shedding light on the beliefs, rulers and daily lives of those who walked these sacred lands millennia ago. Join us as we decode the symbols and inscriptions that have endured for centuries, bringing fresh perspectives to biblical accounts and historical events. Whether you're a history buff, coin collector or simply curious about the roots of monotheism, you'll discover fascinating connections between past and present in every gleaming artifact.

Click above to watch the video or read the transcript below.

Hello, I'm Aaron Goel, an archaeologist and a coin expert. Today, I want to share with you about a fascinating coin from a private collection: The so-called Widow's Mite. This small bronze coin, dated to the reign of Alexander Jannaeus from 103 to 76 B.C., was not worth much in this time. It was just enough to buy a few goods at the market. But its significance lies in a powerful story from the Bible.

In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus praised a poor widow who gave two small coins like this one to the temple treasury. He says, "'Truly I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all, for all these out of their abundance, have put in offering for God. But she, out of her poverty, put all in the livelihood that she had."

What's fascinating is the symbolism on this coin. On one side, there is an anchor and on the other a star. Though not originally intentionally designed for Christian meaning, these symbols hold great significance for believers: The morning star represent Christ himself and the anchor is one of the earliest Christian symbols representing faith.

This coin looks old and worn. It has a simple design and we can't read the words on it anymore. This coin variant was probably made during Jesus time, using the same design as other coins types from King John's reign.

Jesus, or one of his relatives, may have once held this coin in Jerusalem, the Galilee region, or elsewhere. In fact, these Jewish coins, called "Prutah" or "Lepta", were so widespread that archaeologists have found some as far away as Spain.

The story of the Widow's Mite teaches us valuable lessons in humility and giving. It's a reminder that the value of our offering lies not in its amount, but in the heart behind it.

As we conclude, it's important to note that while the trade of antiquities is legal in Israel, there are strict laws against illegal excavation and looting. Many artifacts in the market may come from illegal sources, and scholars advise against participating in this trade to protect historic and national heritage.

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Aaron Goel-Angot