Pidyon Haben 1973

Redemption of the First-Born Son Pidyon Haben Coin 5733-1973
Legal Tender Issued by The Bank of Israel

The fourth issue of Pidyon Haben coins was issued in 1973 and was discontinued prior to the 1974 issue.
Pidyon Haben is the redemption of a firstborn son from his special dedication to the service of G-d. The Pidyon Haben ceremony takes place on the 31st day after birth, when the firstborn son is redeemed by a Cohen (priest) for 5 Shekels of silver, originally a total weight of 96.15 grams of silver. Today, it is customary to give the Cohen 100 grams of silver or pay him the current value of 100 grams of silver.

Obverse:
Upper left, the face value "10 Israeli Lirot" in Hebrew, beneath it the Israel State Emblem, "25th Anniversary of the State" in Hebrew and the mint year "5733-1973". Around the right-hand border, the word "Israel" in Hebrew, English and Arabic.

Reverse:
On the left, in an incuse ellipse, the Biblical quotation from Exodus 34:20 "All the first born sons thou shalt redeem". Surrounding the inscription are five silver shekalim struck in Jerusalem in the period of the war of the Jews against Rome (66-70 CE). Clockwise from left to right, the two sides of the shekel from 68 CE, on the back a branch with three pomegranates, around the inscription "Jerusalem the Holy City". On the face of the shekel appears a chalice and the inscription "Israeli Shekel" and above the chalice the date - "the Year Three". The sides of the shekel from 66 CE, on the face the inscription "Israeli Shekel" and above the chalice the inscription "the Year One". On the back there appear pomegranates and the inscription "Jerusalem the Holy City".
On the face of the shekel from 67 CE the inscription "Israeli Shekel" and above the chalice the inscription 'The Year Two".
Around the right-hand border of the 1973 issue, stylized Hebrew inscription "Pidyon Haben Coin".

Edge:
The B.U. coin has a smooth edge. The proof coin has a milled edge.

Mint Marks:
On the obverse of the B.U. coin, the Star of David, and on the obverse of the proof coin, the letter "mem" on the lower border to the left.

Designer:
Rothschild and Lippman ("Roli").

Mint:
Israel Government Mint, Jerusalem.