Jerusalem

Jerusalem
Israel's 20th Anniversary of Independence Coin 5728-1968

Jerusalem is mentioned in the Bible no fewer than 650 times. The holy city of Jerusalem is fundamental to the Jewish experience. "If I forget thee Jerusalem may my right hand lose its cunning", was the oath taken by Jews of Zion. The yearning never ceased - "Next year in Jerusalem" was said annually. For 1900 years Israel was exiled and Jerusalem with them.
After the War of Independence, for nineteen years Jerusalem was divided between Jordan and Israel. When the Israel Defence Forces liberated the various quarters of the city, in 1967, Jerusalem was reunified into one city with free access to the holy places guaranteed to Jew, Christian and Moslem alike.

Obverse: Top right, the word "Israel" in Hebrew, Arabic and English and the face value in Hebrew, "10 Israeli Lirot" on the silver coins and "100 Israeli Lirot" on the gold coin. In the center is a replica of the silver seal of the Bar-Kochba revolt, depicting a four-columned facade. Below is the mint year "5728-1968" in Hebrew and English.

Reverse: A panorama of the reunified city of Jerusalem and the Israel State emblem.

Edge: On the silver coin the inscription "20th Year of the State of Israel" in obverse direction.

Mint Marks: On the obverse of the silver proof coin, the letter "mem" on the rim-bottom-centre. The letter "mem" does not appear on the gold coin.

Designer: Jacob Zim.

Mint: Swiss Federal Mint, Berne