Pidyon Haben 1977

Pidyon Haben Coin 5737-1977
Redemption of the First-Born Son
Legal Tender Issued by The Bank of Israel

The eighth in the series of Pidyon Haben coins was issued in 1977, and is the last of the series. The obverse differs somewhat from the 1976 coin.
Pidyon Haben is the redemption of a firstborn son from his special dedication to the service of G-d. The Pidyon Haben ceremony takes place on the 31st day after birth, when the firstborn son is redeemed by a Cohen (priest) for 5 Shekels of silver, originally a total weight of 96.15 grams of silver. Today, it is customary to give the Cohen 100 grams of silver or pay him the current value of 100 grams of silver.

Obverse:
The face value "25 Israeli Lirot" in Hebrew. Below, the official emblem of the State of Israel, on the lower edge the word "Israel" in Hebrew, Arabic and English, and the mint year "1977" and its Hebrew equivalent "5737".

Reverse:
Five pomegranate flowers around a five-pointed star. Around the rim, the inscription in Hebrew "Pidyon Haben Coin" and "Those that are to be redeemed from a month old thou shalt redeem". Num. 18:16.

Edge:
The B.U. coin has smooth edges. The proof coin has milled edges.

Mint Marks:
On the obverse of the B.U. coin, the Star of David, and on the obverse of the proof coin, the Hebrew letter "Mem" in the upper border to the right.

Designer:
Gabriel Neumann.

Mint:
The Israel Government Mint, Jerusalem.