State of Israel Bonds

State of Israel Bonds 5735-1975
Israel's 42th Anniversary of Independence Coin

In September 1952, the Prime Minister of Israel, the late David Ben-Gurion convened a conference in Jerusalem of sixty American Jewish leaders to discuss plans for issuing Israel Bonds. The plan called for the raising of large sums of capital for the rapid development of an economic infrastructure for the young State. Nearly a year later at a conference of major American Jewish organizations and communities, the first issue of the State of Israel Bonds was launched. The proceeds from the sale of Israel Bonds, with 85 per cent coming from the United States, were used by the Government of Israel, as part of its development budget to expand roads, rail, sea and air transport facilities, develop water supply and electric power, exploit natural resources and for many other projects.

Obverse: In the center, the face value "25 Lirot" in Hebrew on the silver coin and "500 Lirot" on the gold coin, below, the official emblem of the State of Israel, around the left-hand border "Israel" in Hebrew, English and Arabic, the mint year "1975" and corresponding Hebrew year 5735.

Reverse: Stylized Star of David multiplying in silhouettes. Around the border, the inscription "25 Years State of Israel Bonds" in Hebrew and English.

Edge:
"27th Year of the State of Israel" on the B.U. and proof silver coins on the obverse and reverse direction. On the gold coin the edges are milled.

Mint Marks:
On the obverse of the B.U. coin, a Star of David, on the obverse of the gold and silver proof coins, the Hebrew letter "Mem"

Designer: Zvi Narkiss.

Mint:
Silver coins - Israel Government Mint, Jerusalem.
Gold coins - Royal Dutch Mint, Utrecht, Holland.