Theodore Herzl Centenary

Theodore Herzl Centenary 5720-1960
Israel's 12th Anniversary of Independence Coin

The Israel 12th Anniversary Coin honored the 100th anniversary of the birth of Theodore Herzl, the Herzl Centenary.
"If the Jewish people desire it, then they will have their own State", wrote Benjamin Ze'ev Herzl in his book 'The Jewish State". He aroused the collective will of a nation and raised the dreams of redemption on the road to political realization. In September 1897 Herzl wrote: "In Basel I founded the Jewish State. Perhaps in five years, but certainly in 50 years, everyone will be convinced of this." On November 29, 1947, exactly fifty years later, the General Assembly of the United Nations passed a resolution recommending the establishment of an independent Jewish State.

Obverse: On the gold coins, in the center, the Israel State Emblem and around it in the border, the face value "Twenty Israeli Lirot" in Hebrew. Around the lower border, the years 5620-5720 1860-1960.
On the silver coins, upper left is the word "Israel" in Hebrew and Arabic and below it the years 5620-5720 1860-1960. Below is the face value "5 Israeli Lirot" in Hebrew.

Reverse: In the upper right a portrayal of Theodore Herzl in an incuse rectangle with rounded corners. In the lower border, center, is the Israel State Emblem and left, in Hebrew, "It is no legend", part of Herzl's famous saying: "If you will it, it is no legend".

Edge:
In Hebrew "Twelfth Year of the State of Israel", "Centenary of Herzl's Birth", in the direction of obverse or reverse. The edge of the gold coin is milled.

Mint Marks: The letter "mem" on the obverse of the silver proof coin, in the center of the lower edge.

Designer:
Obverse - Miriam Karoli.
Reverse - Andre Lasserre (Switzerland).

Mint:
Swiss Federal Mint, Berne.