Masada

Masada 2009/5769
2nd in the UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITES IN ISRAEL Coin Series
Legal Tender Issued by the Bank of Israel

Masada is deemed with the highest historical and archeological importance. On a steep cliff in the Judean Desert, 450 meters above the Dead Sea, Herod the Great built a glorious palace and refuge for himself in case of revolt. The massive system of Roman fortifications surrounding the site is the most intact of all remnants of its kind.

Masada serves as a symbol of the love of freedom and the willingness to fight, even until death. The last fighters with their families, a group of 960, who refused to surrender to the overwhelming might of the Roman Empire remained under siege for three years in an awe-inspiring display of valor. These bold and daring Jews preferred death to surrender and pledged "to remain free men". The fall of Masada denoted the end of the Great Revolt against Rome. With the establishment of the State of Israel, Masada became a symbol of heroism and bravery on which the Zionist ethos and the identity of the new generation of Israeli youth were built. "Masada shall not fall again" has become an expression of the determination to defend the Jewish Homeland at all costs.

Obverse: Face value in Hebrew and English, Israel State Emblem, "Israel" in English, Hebrew and Arabic, mint year; below, skyline of the Masada mountain.

Reverse: The cliff of Masada from the north with Herod's palace; UNESCO and World Heritage Sites symbols; the word "MASADA" is inscribed along the upper border in Hebrew, English and Arabic.

Edge: Silver Prooflike Coin: Smooth, Silver Proof and Gold Coin: Milled

Mint Marks: Silver Prooflike Coin – Star of David, Silver Proof and Gold Coin – Hebrew letter "Mem"

Designer: Igal Gabay

Plaster Models: Tidhar Dagan / Royal Dutch Mint

Dies: Royal Dutch Mint

Mint: Royal Dutch Mint