Binding of Isaac

The Binding of Isaac
Biblical Art Coin, 1994/5755

The "Binding of Isaac" is the first coin in the Biblical Art Coin Series devoted to biblical themes. In this series, biblical themes and famous artworks by the great artists of all times have been struck on commemorative coins for the first time. In the story of the Binding of Isaac, Abraham, father of the Jewish people, demonstrated his faith in God by showing his readiness to sacrifice his only son Isaac. Abraham's unquestionable faith in God was to serve as an example for future generations. In this work dating from 1634, Rembrandt van Rijn, the renowned Dutch painter, expressed the moving moment when the Patriarch Abraham lifted the knife over his bound son and was stopped by the Angel of God. Appropriately, the Silver Proof Coin was minted in the Netherlands, at the Royal Dutch Mint.

Obverse: Face value in Hebrew and English, 1 New Sheqel on the Silver B.U. Coin, 2 New Sheqalim on the Silver Proof Coin, 10 New Sheqalim on the Gold Coin, beneath the face value, the mint year 1994 / 5755 and below, "Israel" in English, Hebrew and Arabic.
Left is the Israel State Emblem and beneath it, an artistic element representing the sacrificial altar. Around the border is the inscription "Binding of Isaac»Rembrandt«amsterdam 1634" in English and Hebrew.

Reverse: Rembrandt's famous painting "The Binding of Isaac".

Edge:
Silver B.U. Coin - smooth
Silver Proof and Gold Coin - milled

Mint Marks:
Silver B.U. Coin - Star of David
Silver Proof and Gold Coin - Hebrew letter "Mem"

Designer:
Obverse - Gideon Keich
Reverse - Oswald Adler
Plaster Reliefs - Tidhar Dagan

Mint:
Silver B.U. Coin - Stuttgart Mint
Silver Proof Coin - Royal Dutch Mint, Utrecht
Gold Coin - Royal Canadian Mint, Ottawa