½ Lira Feast of Purim
Features
| Issuer |
Israel
 |
|---|---|
| Period |
State of Israel (1948-date)
|
| Type | Non-circulating coin |
| Years | 5721-5722 (1961-1962) |
| Calendar | Hebrew |
| Value | ½ Israeli Pound (½ ILP) |
| Currency | Pound (1960-1980) |
| Composition | Copper-nickel |
| Weight | 12 g |
| Diameter | 30 mm |
| Shape | Round |
| Technique | Milled |
| Orientation | Medal alignment ↑↑ |
| Demonetized | 1980 |
| Number | N# 18760 |
| References |
KM# 31  Tracy L. Schmidt (editor); 2019. Standard Catalog of World Coins / 2001-Date (14th edition). Krause Publications, Stevens Point, Wisconsin, United States. And 5 more volumes. |
Commemorative issue
Feast of Purim - "Half Shekel of The Temple"
Obverse
Above, 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, Hebrew
Lettering:
اسرائيل • ישראל • תשכ'א
חצי
לירה
ישראלית
Translation:
Israel 5721 (1961)
Half Israeli Lira
Engravers: Rothschild, Lippman
Reverse
A 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: Hebrew
Lettering: חצי השקל שג
Translation:
HETZI HASHEKEL SH G
(Half shekel y(ear) 3)
Engravers: Rothschild, Lippman
Edge
Smooth
Mint
Royal Dutch Mint (Koninklijke Nederlandse Munt), Utrecht, Netherlands (1010-date)Comments
The 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".
"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".
See also
Manage my collection
Please sign in or create an account to manage your collection.
| Date | Mintage | VG | F | VF | XF | AU | UNC | Frequency | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Undetermined | |||||||||||||
| 5721 (1961) | 19 939 | $ 9.00 | $ 9.40 | $ 9.70 | 50% | תשכ״א (BU) | |||||||
| 5721 (1961) מ | 4 901 | $ 9.90 | 7% | תשכ״א (Proof) | |||||||||
| 5722 (1962) | 19 890 | $ 3.60 | $ 5.30 | $ 8.30 | 50% | תשכ״ב (BU) | |||||||
| 5722 (1962) מ | 9 894 | $ 10 | 11% | תשכ״ב (Proof) | |||||||||
Values in the table above are expressed in USD. They are based on evaluations by Numista users and sales realized on Internet platforms. They serve as an indication only; they are not intended to be relied upon for buying, selling or exchanging. Numista does not buy or sell coins or banknotes.
Frequencies show the percentage of Numista users who own each year or variety among all the users who own this coin. Since some users own several versions, the sum may be greater than 100%.
Get this coin
Members from this site want to exchange it: nago, G.IG., crimea62, vashay, Gilad Aasfan
Feedback: 
(×129)
Country: Switzerland
Languages :
(×129)Country: Switzerland
Languages :
Feedback: (×73)
Country: Israel
Languages : 
(×73)Country: Israel
Languages :
Feedback: (×701)
Country: Israel
Languages :
(×701)Country: Israel
Languages :
Feedback: (×56)
Country: Israel
Languages :
(×56)Country: Israel
Languages :
Feedback: (×2)
Country: Israel
Languages : 
(×2)Country: Israel
Languages :
» See the details of the coins available for swap
Numista Rarity index: 32
This index is based on the data of Numista members collections. It ranges from 0 to 100, 0 meaning a very common coin or banknote and 100 meaning a rare coin or banknote among Numista members.
Contribute to the catalog
Modify or add data on this pageRegister a past auction sale
Duplicate this page
Share: 
