Ingathering of the Exiles

Ingathering of the Exiles
Israel's 11th Anniversary of Independence Coin 5719-1959

"The State of Israel shall be open to Jewish immigration and to the ingathering of the exiles", was stated in the Declaration of Independence when the State was established. The gates of Israel were opened to all Jews who wished to immigrate including refugees from the holocaust in Europe, those who left the Moslem countries and others. In the first nine months alone, while a war of life and death was being waged, more than 100,000 immigrants reached Israel. In 1959 the total number of immigrants approached the one million mark.

Obverse: In the upper left corner, the word "Israel" in Hebrew and Arabic with the dates "5708-5719" and "1948-1959" in Hebrew and English. Below, the face value "5 Israeli Lirot" in Hebrew.

Reverse: A circle of eleven dancers representing the joy of those who have come to Israel with the eleven representing the eleven years of statehood. The circle is broken at one end so as to welcome new immigrants. In the center is the Hebrew inscription "Your children will return to their own border" (Jeremiah 31:17).

Edge: In raised letters the inscription "The Eleventh year of the State of Israel", facing obverse or reverse.

Mint Marks: Hebrew letter "mem" on the proof coin

Designer: Obverse - Miriam Karoli. Reverse - Rothschild and Lippman ("Roll").

Mint: The Swiss Federal Mint, Berne