Israel Coins

bidask

I picked up a gem proof 1967 Victory gold coin for a little above melt from a dealer. For a country with such historical significance ( and continues) it seems like there would be more demand for these coins?

newsman

The market for Israeli coins is about as hot as the South Pole. You can routinely buy them for fractions of their Krause value, and then won't be able to give them away when it's time to sell.

I must be one of the dumb ones, because I enjoy collecting them. I've got a Dansco album for the older types (pre-1960) which I'm trying to fill with BU specimens.

bidask

Me too. Amazing isn't it!

cladking

<< <i>The market for Israeli coins is about as hot as the South Pole. You can routinely buy them for fractions of their Krause value, and then won't be able to give them away when it's time to sell.

I must be one of the dumb ones, because I enjoy collecting them. I've got a Dansco album for the older types (pre-1960) which I'm trying to fill with BU specimens. >>



Some of the designs are really great and most are quite modern. Even the rare
coins seem to go for a song. I especially like the low mintage circulating issues,
but much of the commemorative stuff is low mintage and available for close to spot
value. How can you go wrong?

shirohniichan

<< <i>The market for Israeli coins is about as hot as the South Pole. You can routinely buy them for fractions of their Krause value, and then won't be able to give them away when it's time to sell.

I must be one of the dumb ones, because I enjoy collecting them. I've got a Dansco album for the older types (pre-1960) which I'm trying to fill with BU specimens. >>



I know a dealer with boxes of Israeli commemorative coins. While I was searching through all of his miscellaneous stuff in search of British commonwealth mint sets and commems he told me he'd give me a great deal just to take the stuff off his hands (he'd had it since the 1970's I believe). I don't know if he still has all of those coins, but I imagine they're still not exactly eagerly sought after. I thought some were pretty cool (especially one in an olive wood box).

secondrepublic

Why are these coins so cheap and so little sought-after?

bidask

<< <i>Why are these coins so cheap and so little sought-after? >>

Don't know, could be a religious or political thing, or maybe....the emperor is wearing no clothes!

STLNATS

I too think that this is a very underappreciated series and am not sure why it is so unpopular unless it has something to do with the politics of the mideast.

While I'm more of an accumulator of the series, I especially like the pre 1970 commems (and have a proof and unc set) and also have filled the Dansco album with very nice, and inexpensive, coins. A number of the earlier medals have also found their way to me and the silver ones seem to pop up near melt too.

One pretty big negative is that much of the earlier original packaging contained PVC so if you gotta have the original holders it presents a problem. Its also a takes a bit to find the earlier pieces without some PVC impact. Still, its a historic and well designed series and when you can get a nice seafaring 5L for a couple of hundred bucks, or later pieces at melt what's not to like?

cladking

<< <i>Why are these coins so cheap and so little sought-after? >>




I've always just assumed that Israelis have very little interest in collecting their
coins. With most countries there are large numbers living here but Israel is a new
country so that doesn't really apply. The coins are made mostly for Americans
and they are well enough marketed that demand is swamped even with small mintages.

Some day this will probably all turn around but it might not be in our lifetimes.

shirohniichan

<< <i>Why are these coins so cheap and so little sought-after? >>



Could it be that since the inscriptions aren't in Roman or Cyrillic letters that there isn't much of a collector base? If few people can indentify the dates and legends, I figure few will collect them.

farthing

I also believe that Israel minted too many commemoratives and special series.

cladking

<< <i>

<< <i>Why are these coins so cheap and so little sought-after? >>



Could it be that since the inscriptions aren't in Roman or Cyrillic letters that there isn't much of a collector base? If few people can indentify the dates and legends, I figure few will collect them. >>



These things are a pain to date. I always have to look them up.

bidask

I am a buyer of Israel 5 lirot, and 25 lirot, silver commems from the 50's, 60,s and 70 's at 15% over spot. Must be original uncirculated.

DBSTrader2

I have at least 1 each of the following Israeli sets........... anyone know their approximate value and/or have any interest in purchasing them?:

1967 "Coins of Israel - - Jerusalem Specimen Set"
(turquoise & white rectangular paper holder w/6 coins in a circle under plastic. 1/5/10/25 Agorot, 1/2 & 1 Lira)

1969 "Coins of Israel 1948-1969 - - Jerusalem Specimen Set"
(rust-colored rectangular paper holder w/6 coins in a circle under plastic. 1/5/10/25 Agorot, 1/2 & 1 Lira)

1971 "Coins of Israel - - Official Mint Set" (Special Mint-marked set #145374 is the one in front of me)
(long, thin pinkish rectangular box with plastic holder w/6 coins in a row. 1/5/10/25 Agorot, 1/2 & 1 Lira)

- - Dave

spoon

IMO, numismatically in some ways Israel is just a better version of the Isle of Man. The currency issues are for the most part abundant and the commems, while many are quite nice, are just too numerous.

I don't think politics or script has much to do with demand. They're just the same as any other producer of modern coinage. Though you do see more folks taking a passing interest in their different series than, say, Egypt (which also has a funny script and an over abundance of commems, many quite nice)

spoon

Before anyone gets to thinking I'm bashing modern junk, here's my silver 67 Victory



(Can't let a good thread go without pics! )

newsman

<< <i>I have at least 1 each of the following Israeli sets........... anyone know their approximate value and/or have any interest in purchasing them?:

1967 "Coins of Israel - - Jerusalem Specimen Set"
(turquoise & white rectangular paper holder w/6 coins in a circle under plastic. 1/5/10/25 Agorot, 1/2 & 1 Lira)

1969 "Coins of Israel 1948-1969 - - Jerusalem Specimen Set"
(rust-colored rectangular paper holder w/6 coins in a circle under plastic. 1/5/10/25 Agorot, 1/2 & 1 Lira)

1971 "Coins of Israel - - Official Mint Set" (Special Mint-marked set #145374 is the one in front of me)
(long, thin pinkish rectangular box with plastic holder w/6 coins in a row. 1/5/10/25 Agorot, 1/2 & 1 Lira)

- - Dave >>



Unfortunately, this is a good example of the problem with Israeli coins. I've seen those sets sell for as little as $2 each, though their book value is higher. The supply definitely exceeds demand.

sumnom

The designs have never really interested me. Maybe they are a little modern looking for me.

newsman

<< <i>The designs have never really interested me. Maybe they are a little modern looking for me. >>



That's an interesting perception, because most of the earlier coins had designs that were taken directly from ancient Jewish money of the Hasmonean, first revolt and Bar Kochba periods. The more recent commems definitely trend toward modernistic styles, though.

DBSTrader2

Do I hear $2.50?...................


- - Dave

sumnom

<< <i>

<< <i>The designs have never really interested me. Maybe they are a little modern looking for me. >>



That's an interesting perception, because most of the earlier coins had designs that were taken directly from ancient Jewish money of the Hasmonean, first revolt and Bar Kochba periods. The more recent commems definitely trend toward modernistic styles, though. >>



Actually, I am not familiar with early Israeli issues. Got some pics?

Zohar

marcmoish

The dating issue could be a pain..but not that bad......so is the widely available/mintages...most of the observations here are correct...I don't think its a political or religous issue...also the PVC issue is a major con indeed - last time I played in the '70's they were gooey and leaking

I do like the earliest issues the most as Zohar posted above, and as newsman pointed out; based on ancient judean motifs...

The '48 25 Mil is nice in hand especially in UNC condition. I had one many years ago. There are very few known in MS/UNC (only 2-3 graded over 62?) .

Personally I like the way tougher Mandate (Palestine) series from 1927-1946(7) NO!, I don't have the 1947 Mil!
Me thinks someone just kept a few samples in his/her pocket when they melted the whole darn shipment



Edited for spelling, and more info

MrEureka

For a long time, but probably no longer, a lot of the commems went to non-collectors and unsophisticated collectors that were looking to help support Israel. That led to a unending flood of coins in the aftermarket, which continues to taint the market. Fifty years from now, after a lot of the coins have been melted and a new generation of collectors takes a fresh look at the market, things will be very different. But for now, I think the best "play" is the circulating issues. I think the current generation can learn to love them, in far less than 50 years.

Lancastercoin

I have seen many many Israeli commems melted, and I have only been in the coin business for six years. Bidask I will keep your info; if you are willing to pay +15% plus postage I can funnel you a lot of pieces. Are original untouched BU and Proof in the original packaging acceptable? As someone stated, this means covered with PVC.

GritsMan

As interesting as the country and its history are, I too have to admit that I find the designs very bland. The best are the more traditional themes, but the modern "jet age" designs make the coins look like cheap junk. I remember when I was there that many of the coins were made out of aluminum or other cheap metals, and that added to a negative perception. I do wish they'd rectify this, but their designers seem to be a bit inbred on the creativity side.

Zohar

Agree. Being Israeli I can say the sole appreciation I have is for the earlier year design (1948-1957) which is limited in itself.

Zohar

A good resource for these: http://sheqel.info/2-2.htm

Zohar

I just started my Signature Set for Israel early statehood years.

Any assistance in getting to the high grade pieces I miss would be appreciated !

Signature Set