Jerusalem Windmill

"JERUSALEM WINDMILL"
Ninth in the "Jerusalem of Gold" Bullion Coin Series
Legal Tender issued by the Bank of Israel

The ninth Bullion Coin in the "Jerusalem of Gold" Series features the historic windmill in Jerusalem.
Built and financed in 1857 by Sir Moses Montifiore, the famous British Jewish philanthropist, for the needs of the population in 19th century Jerusalem, the windmill was located where, a few years later, "Mishkenot Sha'ananim, the first neighborhood outside the walls of the Old City of Jerusalem, would be built. However, in 1891, due to the lack of wind which had not been taken into account, the windmill ceased to be of use. The local population found a more efficient means of grinding flour, using steam-powered means.
In 1948, during the Israel War of Independence, the high windmill provided a strategic watch tower for the Jewish fighters against the British authorities, who in response fired at the windmill in an attack known as "Operation Don Quixote".
In 2012, the windmill was significantly renovated. Its original glory and function were restored, but this time an electrical grinding system was incorporated.
The windmill is in use today and it has become a prominent landmark on the Jerusalem landscape, close to the Yemin Moshe neighborhood which also bears the name of Moses (Moshe) Montifiore.

Obverse: The Jerusalem Windmill and in the foreground, the outline of the walls of the Old City and Tower of David, in the upper border, “Jerusalem” in English, Hebrew and Arabic, upper right, the face value "20 New Shekels" and mint year in Hebrew and English, below is the Star of David mint mark, around the lower border is the metal fineness and weight, “1 oz. fine gold.9999” in Hebrew and English.
Common Reverse of the Series: The Lion of Megiddo, with its stylized curved tail, is taken from an ancient seal excavated in Megiddo (Armageddon) in the Jordan Valley, dating from the 8th century BCE. The seal belonged to Shema, the servant of Jeroboam II, Israelite King. The lion is also the symbol of the Tribe of Judah and of the eternal capital of Israel, Jerusalem. The same Lion of Megiddo appeared in the past 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.

Face Design: Osnat Eshel
Common Reverse Design: Meir Eshel
Finish: Brilliant Uncirculated
Mint: Royal Dutch Mint