THE MENORAH
ISRAEL BULLION COIN 2012
Third in the “Jerusalem of Gold” Bullion Coin Series.
Legal Tender issued by the Bank of Israel.
Release: Jerusalem Day, Iyar 28, 5772, May 20, 2012
The third coin in the "Jerusalem of Gold" Bullion Coin Series features the Menorah, the seven-branched candelabrum.
An impressive sculpted Menorah, created by the British Jewish sculptor of German origin, Benno Elkan, was donated to the Knesset (the Israeli Parliament), by the British Parliament, in 1956. It had taken six years to complete this masterpiece. Cast in bronze, the artistic 4.30m high Menorah stands today in the Rose Garden facing the Knesset Building in Jerusalem and has become a popular tourist attraction. Its sculpted decorations depict the turbulent history of Israel, the struggles of the people from exile to rebirth.
The Menorah is first mentioned in the Book of Exodus, Chapter 25. Moses received precise instructions from G-d how to build the Menorah in pure gold, in one piece, and it was Bezalel the architect who actually constructed it.
This same Menorah accompanied the Children of Israel on their journey through the wilderness and was later moved to the Holy Temple in Jerusalem.
The Prophet Zechariah sees a Menorah in his prophetic visions (Zechariah 4:2-3). Here, the significance of the Menorah is explained by the words "Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit", meaning that spiritual force will prevail over physical power. These words are sculpted on the Knesset Menorah Monument.
In Hasmonean times (second to first century BCE), the Menorah appeared on the Jewish Coins and first served as a national symbol of the Jewish people. When the State of Israel was established in 1948, the Menorah became the main feature of the Israel State Emblem. |
Obverse: |
| The famous “Lion of Megiddo” taken from an ancient 8th century BCE seal, excavated in Megiddo (Armageddon) in the Jordan Valley. The seal belonged to Shema, a servant of King Jeroboam II, who was King of Israel during the time of the Prophet Amos. The lion is also the symbol of the Tribe of Judah and of Jerusalem. The same "Lion of Megiddo" appeared on the Israeli 5 Lira Banknote (1958), 5 Lira Coin (1978) and on the Half Sheqel Coin (1980). Above the figure of the lion appears the State of Israel Emblem and below it the word “Israel” in English, Hebrew and Arabic. |
Reverse: |
| The Knesset Menorah with the Knesset Building in the background, "Jerusalem" in English, Hebrew and Arabic, Face Value, Mint Year. |
Edge: |
Mint Marks: |
| Smooth. |
Star of David. |
Designer: |
Lion Obverse Design (common to all the coins in this series):
Meir Eshel.
Face Value Design: Ruben Nutels. |
Engraving: |
Mint: |
| Tidhar Dagan |
Finland. |
Ordering Procedures for the Israeli Bullion Coin:
* The price of the Bullion Coin is not permanent, in contrast to that of most other coins, and fluctuates in accordance with the daily international price of gold.
* The price of the coin will be determined by ICMC, daily, at 09:00 Israel time, according to the USD PM London fixing (LME) of 1 oz. of gold, of the previous business day.
* The daily coin price determined will be available by telephone at 972-4-821-2807, 24/7.
* The price set each day will remain in effect for 24 hours, i.e. until 09:00 a.m. the following day, for transactions completed that day, via the aforementioned 2 venues: company website & telephone (until 18:00 Israel time).
* Each Gold Bullion Coin will be supplied in a handsome presentation box and accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity.
* Delivery time is up to 6 weeks from the date the order was approved. |
|
|
