Hanukka Lamp (″Hanukkiya″) from Persia

Hanukka Lamp from Persia
Hanukka Coin, 1989 5750

For over 2,000 years, Jews in Iran led industrious lives. They enjoyed periods of prosperity but also some of the worst persecutions of Jews in Moslem lands. Iranian Jewry produced distinguished Jewish poets. philosophers and thinkers. Over the generations, the Jewish community in Iran declined from half a million in the 12th century to 25,000 at the end of the 1980s. Congregations were destroyed (such as Tabriz at the end of the 18th century), and others were forced to adopt Islam (Mashhad, March 1839). Zionism imbued Iran's Jews with a sense of pride and hope for redemption, which became a reality with the creation of the State of Israel and the immigration of 60,000. After the Islamic Revolution (1979), 50,000 more Jews left Iran.

Obverse:
Face value in Hebrew and English, "1 New Sheqel" on the Silver B.U. coin; "2 New Sheqalim" on the Silver Proof Coin. To the right is the Israel State Emblem, in the upper border, the mint year, 1989 / 5750, and word "ISRAEL" in Hebrew, English and Arabic.

Reverse:
A round stone Hanukka Lamp from Persia dating from the beginning of the 17th century, (according to ancient tradition, this Hanukka Lamp dates from as far back as the time of the Babylonian Talmud); from the collection of Mr. Yitzhak Einhorn. Below, the Hebrew words "Ancient Hanukka Lamp from Persia"

Edgs:
B.U. Coin - smooth
Proof Coin - milled

Mint Marks:
Beneath the Israel State Emblem:
Silver B.U. Coin - Star of David.
Silver Proof Coin - Hebrew letter "Mem"

Designer:
Assaf Berg
Plaster models - Tidhar Dagan

Mint
Spanish National Mint