Moses and the Ten Commandments

Moses and the Ten Commandments
10th in the "Biblical Art" Commemorative Coin Series
Legal Tender issued by the Bank of Israel

At the opening of the Declaration of Independence, David Ben-Gurion declared that the Jewish people "bequeathed to the entire world the eternal book of books."
The most important asset of the people of Israel is the Torah. Moses, the greatest of the prophets, is the one through whom the Torah was given. The image of Moses coming down from Mount Sinai with the Tablets of Stone in his hands is at the basis of our existence as a people, and in fact at the basis of morality and human culture that developed within the framework of monotheistic religions.

The impressive coin illustrates the majesty and splendor of the ancient Mount Sinai status. It won first prize in the "Most Inspirational Coin" category in the "Coin of the Year" competition for 2005, which is organized every year by the large publishing house for numismatic publications, KRAUSE PUBLICATIONS.

Obverse:
The nominal value in Hebrew and English, the Emblem of Israel and its name in three languages, the year of minting. To the left are the Tablets of the Covenant that spread a glow around them and on them is the first word of the Ten Commandments in ancient Hebrew. Along the perimeter is the inscription: "Moses and the Tablets of Stone Exodus 20:44" and its translation into English and Arabic. On the 1 NIS gold coin: there is no inscription in the tablets of the covenant, and along the circumference the inscription is only "Moses" and its translation into English and Arabic.

Reverse:
The image of Moses is surrounded by a halo of light, holding in his hands the Tablets of the Covenant on which the first words of the Ten Commandments are engraved. In the 1 NIS gold coin: there is no inscription in the tablets of the covenant.

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

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

Designer: Gideon Keich

Plaster Models: Tidhar Dagan

Mint: Dutch Mint