Joseph and his Brothers

Joseph and his Brothers 2000/5760
6th in the Biblical Art Coin Series

Joseph and his Brothers is the 6th coin in the Biblical Art Series, dedicated to works of art with a Biblical theme. The designer has successfully depicted the details of the story and the waves of emotion on a tiny surface area. The sheaves on the left-hand side of the coin gradually turn into bowing images, symbolizing Joseph's brothers and expressing the dream of the sheaves as well as its interpretation. Similarly, the image of Joseph appears at both the beginning and the end of the story, designed in the style of the ancient Egyptian wall-paintings and glorifying Joseph as the Egyptian Pharaoh's chief advisor. Yet, he continues to wear the coat of many colors, reminiscent of Joseph the lad, the boy of the dreams and the source of his brothers' jealousy. The tear in his eye reveals Joseph overcome with emotion as he confesses to his brothers: "I am Joseph".

The coin expresses the significance of the story: how jealousy and hatred can eventually turn into a story of unification and brotherhood, as "all Israel are responsible for one another".

Obverse: Face value in Hebrew and English, Israel State Emblem and "Israel" in English, Hebrew and Arabic, a decorative element representing a row of sheaves, around the border, inscription "JOSEPH AND HIS BROTHERS GEN. 45:1-15" in Hebrew and English, centered in the lower border, the mint year

Reverse: The image of Joseph as the Pharaoh's chief advisor pointing to himself and saying "I am Joseph". He is dressed in an Egyptian-style robe which is also reminiscent of the coat of many colors his father Jacob gave him. Left of the image, around the border, are sheaves of grain that gradually become images of Joseph's brothers bowing down to him.

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: Aharon Shevo

Plaster Reliefs: Tidhar Dagan

Mint: Dutch Mint