Description: 1961 Israel Half (1/2) Lira Coin Feast of Purim½ Lira Feast of Purim FeaturesIssuerIsrael PeriodState of Israel (1948-date) TypeNon-circulating coinYears5721-5722 (1961-1962)CalendarHebrewValue½ Israeli Pound (½ ILP)CurrencyPound (1960-1980)CompositionCopper-nickelWeight12 gDiameter30 mmShapeRoundTechniqueMilledOrientationMedal alignment ↑↑Demonetized1980NumberN#18760ReferencesKM# 31 Commemorative issueFeast of Purim - "Half Shekel of The Temple"ObverseAbove, the word "Israel" in Hebrew and Arabic, and the mint year "5721" in Hebrew characters (corresponding to 1961). In the center the face value "Half Israeli Lira" in Hebrew.Scripts: Arabic, HebrewLettering: اسرائيل • ישראל • תשכ'א חצי לירה ישראליתTranslation: Israel 5721 (1961) Half Israeli LiraEngravers: Gerd Rothschild, Zeev LipmanReverseA raised reproduction of an ancient silver half-shekel with beaded rim from the third year of the First Jewish Revolt against the Romans 66-73 C.E. In the center of the ancient coin is a chalice. Above it are the two Paleo-Hebrew letters for "Year 3" of the revolt 68 C.E., and around it, in Paleo-Hebrew letters, the Hebrew for a Half Shekel.Script: HebrewLettering: חצי השקל שגTranslation: HETZI HASHEKEL SH G (Half shekel y(ear) 3)Engravers: Gerd Rothschild, Zeev LipmanEdgeSmoothMintRoyal Dutch Mint (Koninklijke Nederlandse Munt), Utrecht, Netherlands (1010-date)CommentsThe origin of the use of the "Half-Shekel" coin is to be found in the Bible, Exodus 30:11 -1 5. "The Lord spoke unto Moses: When thou takest the sum of the children of Israel This they shall give... one half shekel The rich shall not give more and the poor shall not give less than half a shekel when they give an offering." The tax was equal for all, rich and poor, because every person is equal before G-d. Half a Shekel and not a whole Shekel signified that a person cannot obtain completeness alone. Today, on the Shabbat before Rosh Chodesh Adar, known as "Shabbat Shekalim", the special "Shekalim" portion of the Torah is read. On the eve of Purim, the equivalent of a Half Shekel is donated in commemoration of the original Half Shekel Tax. In the year 5721-1961, the Bank of Israel issued a special Half-Shekel coin (Half of an Israeli Lira) which was legal tender in the State of Israel. Bearing a face value of Half an Israeli Lira, it became an appropriate coin with which to perform the commandment of commemoration of the "Half-Shekel". 1961 Israel Half (1/2) Lira Coin Feast of Purim
Price: 7 USD
Location: Livingston, New Jersey
End Time: 2024-11-20T20:46:00.000Z
Shipping Cost: 5 USD
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Item Specifics
Restocking Fee: No
Return shipping will be paid by: Seller
All returns accepted: Returns Accepted
Item must be returned within: 30 Days
Refund will be given as: Money Back
Circulated/Uncirculated: Uncirculated
Composition: Copper-Nickel
Year: 1961
Color: Silver
Fineness: 0.5
Grade: Ungraded
KM Number: 31
Country/Region of Manufacture: Israel
Certification: Uncertified