JERUSALEM ( CNN ) -- Some Israeli archaeologists are having a particularly happy Hanukkah , thanks in part to a British volunteer who took time off from her job to work on a dig . Archaeologists found a hoard of gold coins from the 7th century in Jerusalem on Sunday . The Israel Antiquities Authority reported a thrilling find Sunday -- the discovery of 264 ancient gold coins in Jerusalem National Park . The coins were minted during the early 7th century . `` This is one of the largest and most impressive coin hoards ever discovered in Jerusalem -- certainly the largest and most important of its period , '' said Doron Ben-Ami and Yana Tchekhanovets , who are directing the excavation on behalf of the Israel Antiquities Authority . Researchers discovered the coins at the beginning of the eight-day Jewish holiday of Hanukkah , which started at sunset on Sunday . One of the customs of the holiday is to give `` gelt , '' or coins , to children , and the archaeologists are referring to the find as `` Hanukkah money . '' Nadine Ross , a British archaeological volunteer , happened onto the coins during the dig just below the walls of the Old City of Jerusalem . `` To be honest , I just thought , 'Thank God I did n't throw it in the rubbish bucket , ' `` said Ross , who had taken four weeks off from her engineering job in England to work at the site . `` I was just glad I sort of spotted it before I disturbed it too much . '' The 1,400-year-old coins were found in the Giv'ati car park in the City of David in the walls around Jerusalem National Park , a site that has yielded other finds , including a well-preserved gold earring with pearls and precious stones . They were in a collapsed building that dates back to the 7th century , the end of the Byzantine period . The coins bear a likeness of Heraclius , who was the Byzantine emperor from 610 to 641 . The authority said that while different coins had been minted during this emperor 's reign , the coins found at the site represent `` one well-known type . '' In that style , the emperor is clad with military garb and is holding a cross in his right hand . On the other side is the sign of the cross . Authorities said the excavation of the building where the hoard was discovered is in its early stages . They are attempting to learn about the building and its owner and the circumstances of its destruction . `` Since no pottery vessel was discovered adjacent to the hoard , we can assume that it was concealed inside a hidden niche in one of the walls of the building . It seems that with its collapse , the coins piled up there among the building debris , '' Ben-Ami and Tchekhanovets said . The find is a a golden moment for Ross , who said `` it is a pity that I ca n't take it home with me . But there you go . '' CNN 's Shira Medding and Ben Wedeman contributed to this report .
NEW : Coins were found by British volunteer ; `` Pity that I ca n't take it home , '' she says . Researchers find ancient coins in car park in Jerusalem 's City of David . Coins were minted in 7th century and depict Byzantine emperor of the era . They were found in collapsed building being excavated by archaeologists .