A metal detectorist in Norway has discovered an extremely rare Jesus coin. The gold coin, known as ‘histamenon nomisma’ was discovered near Vestre Slidre, located in Innlandet County, a region known for its skiing, CBS News reports.

On one side of the Byzantine coin, there is an image of Jesus holding a Bible, along with the words, “Jesus Christ, King of those who reign” imprinted on it. This is a reference to a Biblical phrase describing Jesus as the King of Kings.

The other side has an image of the two Byzantine emperors Basil II and Constantine VIII along with the words ‘Basil and Constantine, emperors of the Romans.’ The two brothers co-ruled the Empire, and their image provides an accurate timeline for when the coin was minted.

The Byzantium coin, which was minted in Constantinople (modern Istanbul) sometime between 977 and 1025 AD, is in very good condition. At the time, the Byzantine Empire, also called the Eastern Roman Empire, controlled much of the area surrounding the Mediterranean Sea.

One of the questions raised by the discovery is how the coin ended up in Norway, nearly 1,600 miles (ca. 2,575 km) from where it was initially manufactured.

There is speculation, that the coin may have actually belonged to a Norwegian King, Harald Hardråde, who ruled between 1046 and 1066 AD.

Before becoming king, Hardråde actually served as a guard to the Byzantine Kings based in Constantinople.

In its news release, announcing the discovery, Innlandet County regional government stated that as part of the king’s guard Hardråde had the right to plunder the palace at the death of a king:

“At that time it was customary for the guards to be given the right to loot the palace and take all the valuables they could find when the emperor died.“

The news release added that three Byzantine Kings died during the time Hardråde served as a palace guard.

Ancient Norwegian sages write that Hardråde and his men returned to Norway as wealthy men. Their ship is described as being overloaded with gold.

Hardråde and his brother, Olaf Haraldsson, were originally considered potential heirs to the throne of Norway. Hardråde was forced into exile after losing a battle for the throne to a Danish king.

It was during this time of banishment, that Hardråde served as leader of the guard of the Byzantine palace. The wealth he accumulated while in Constantinople would help pay for his successful campaign to reclaim the Norwegian throne.

READ: Metal detectorist finds “very rare” ancient gold coin in Norway — over 1,600 miles away from its origin AND Very rare gold coin found in the Inland: Innlandet County News Release AND Harald Hardråde: Wikipedia AND Byzantine gold coin with ‘face of Jesus’ unearthed by metal detectorist in Norway