Looted ancient Jewish coin returned by U.S. authorities to Israel Antiquities Authority

A rare, 2,000-year-old Jewish coin that U.S. authorities have returned to Israel nearly two decades after it was looted, smuggled and put up for auction in the United States. (Israel Antiquities Authority via AP)

JERUSALEM — American authorities have returned a rare, 2,000-year-old Jewish coin to Israel nearly two decades after it was looted, smuggled and put up for auction in the United States.

The quarter shekel silver coin, made in the year 69, is one of just two confirmed to exist. The other has been in the British Museum’s collection for a century.