Young Hart and Apple Tree

"Flora and Fauna in the Song of Songs" Coin, 1993/5755

Young Hart and Apple Tree

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 People of Israel 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, which reflects a deep love of the landscape, springtime, and flora and fauna of Israel. The "Young Hart and Apple Tree" Commemorative Coin is third in the "Flora and Fauna from the Song of Songs" Series. She compares her beloved to a "young hart" and to the "apple tree among the trees of the forest".

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. The Israel State emblem and hawthorne branch (representing the biblical apple tree) with its fruit appear with the word "ISRAEL' in Hebrew, Arabic and English. Along the circumference is the biblical quote "as the apple tree" and the source "song of songs 2:3" in Hebrew and English.

Reverse: A young hart with its mother in a field of flowers, in the upper border, biblical quote "A YOUNG HART", reference "song of songs 8:14" in Hebrew and in English and mint year 1993 / 5754

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

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

Designer: Obverse - Assaf Berg, Reverse - Ruben Nutels

Engraving: Tidhar Dagan

Mint: Silver Coins and Gold 22 mm Coin - Stuttgart Mint, Gold 18mm Coin - Royal Dutch Mint