Fox and Vineyard

"Flora and Fauna in the Song of Songs" Coin

"Fox and Vineyard"

The Song of Songs is perhaps the most sublime love poem ever written. Attributed to King Solomon, the Song of Songs is regarded as a conversation between the Jewish People and God and an expression of God's deep and eternal love for Israel. Some take the poems at face value, as expressions of the innocent human love of shepherds and shepherdesses in the bosom of nature. All agree on the beauty of its poetry. The "Fox and Vineyard" Commemorative Coin is fifth in the "Flora and Fauna from the Song of Songs" Series. "Catch us the foxes, the little foxes that ruin the vineyards - for our vineyard is in blossom" (Song of Songs 2:15). This passage evokes an enchanting image of the Land of Israel with its vineyards in full bloom and cunning foxes running in and out of the paths.

Obverse: Face value in Hebrew and English, 1 New Sheqel on the Silver B.U. Coin and 18mm Gold Coin, 2 New Sheqalim on the Silver Proof Coin, 5 New Sheqalim on the 22mm Gold Coin, right, a cluster of grapes, left, the Israel State Emblem, around the border, the word "ISRAEL in Hebrew, Arabic and English and the biblical verse "to see whether the vine flourished" and reference "song of songs 6:11" in Hebrew and English.

Reverse: A fox of the Land of Israel in a pouncing position, border inscription "the little foxes" with reference, "song of songs 2:15" in Hebrew and in English and the mint year "1995 / 5756".

Edge:
Silver B.U. Coin - smooth.
Silver Proof and Gold coins - milled

Mint Marks:
Silver B.U. Coin - Star of David
Silver Proof and Gold Coins - Hebrew letter "Mem"

Designer:
Yaacov Enyedi
Plaster models - Tidhar Dagan

Mint:
Silver Coins - Mint of Finland
Gold Coins - Royal Dutch Mint