So Thy Seed Shall Be

"SO YOUR SEED SHALL BE" 1999/5759
ABRAHAM LOOKING AT THE STARS
5th in the BIBLICAL ART COIN Series

" . . . Look now toward heaven and count the stars, if thou be able to count them . . . 'So shall thy seed be.' " Genesis 15:5

The coin reunites us with Abraham, the First of our Forefathers, and the roots of the Jewish People. Strongly opposed to idol worship, Abraham brought the belief in one G-d to the entire world (Monotheism). In his old age he was promised not only to be blessed with the birth of a son, but also that his seed would become a great and mighty nation, as vast as the heavenly stars above. The coin depicts Abraham looking towards the heavens – beyond the stars. The artist captures the exalted moment in minimalist design, expressing the glory and holiness of the Divine Promise.

Obverse: Face value in Hebrew and English, seven stars, Israel State Emblem, "Israel" in English, Hebrew and Arabic, the mint year and biblical inscription "SO SHALL THY SEED BE - GEN. 15:5" in Hebrew and English.

Reverse: Abraham looking at the stars, as if reflecting on G-d's promise that his seed will become innumerable as the stars above.

Edge: Silver Prooflike Coin – Smooth, Silver Proof and Gold Coin – Milled

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

Designer: Reverse Design: Ed van Ivan, Obverse Design: Eitan Alon

Plaster Reliefs: Royal Canadian Mint

Mint: Royal Canadian Mint