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NEWP: 1963 Israel 5 Lirot Seafaring

ZoharZohar Posts: 6,629 ✭✭✭✭✭
edited November 21, 2016 8:12PM in World & Ancient Coins Forum

Bought this 1963 Israeli commemorative which is considered to the be one of the more sought after Israeli commemoratives. These do come available in spite of low mintage of 4,495, yet never seen one like this in terms of technical grade and eye appeal. Write up and images below.

Israel. 5 Lirot issues for the 15th Anniversary of the State of Israel. Design Zvi Narkiss (Obverse), Yitzhak Behar (Reverse). The Italian State Mint, Rome, La Zecca. KM#39. 34mm, 25gr. Coin commemorates the Jewish mariners from the times of King Herod to the present. Obv: The smokestack and part of the superstructure of a modern steamship, and in the background the Bay of Haifa and Mount Carmel. On the base of the smokestack, the face value "5" and beneath it, "Israeli Lirot" in Hebrew. Around the upper border, the word "Israel" in Hebrew and Arabic and mint year "5723-1963" in Hebrew and English. An ancient ship with the Hebrew inscription "Fifteenth Year of Israel's Freedom.". Rev: In the center a reproduction of the ancient galley found in the tomb in Jerusalem. From the mast hangs a rig and from it, many sails. The galley has thirteen oars, the tiermen protected by six parapets. There is a forecastle and tower in front. Below the fore, an extended battering ram. The aft has a rudder, underneath which, in ancient Hebrew script: "Fifteenth year of Israel's Freedom". The Proof coin is struck with a small Hebrew 'mem' at the bottom and on the coin's edge the Hebrew inscription "Fifteenth Year of the State of Israel". Only 4,495 coins were minted in proof condition with this one the finest by any grading service. Lovely iridescent toning. NGC PF-67 Cameo.


Hebrew seafaring was already well advanced in the time of the First and Second Temples. Jewish coins struck in the Hasmonean period bear evidence to this. Coins struck In the coastal cities in Hasmonean times, featured anchors. Coins struck by Herod (37 - 3 BCE) featured ships in addition anchors, probably to celebrate the founding of Caesarea. The ancient Hebrew galley depicted on the 15th anniversary coin was taken from a likeness found in Hasmonean tomb from the period of the Second Temple.

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