Pidyon Haben 1974

Redemption of the First-Born Son Pidyon Haben Coin 5734-1974
Legal Tender Issued by The Bank of Israel

The fifth in the series of Pidyon Haben coins was issued in 1974 and was discontinued prior to the 1975 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:
Above, the face value "10 Israeli Lirot" in Hebrew, beneath it to the right "Israel" in Hebrew and to the left the Israel State Emblem. Around the upper border to the left, the mint year "5734 -1974". Around the lower right-hand border, the word "Israel" in 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 1974 issue, stylized Hebrew inscription "Pidyon Haben Coin".

Edge:
B.U. coin, smooth - Proof coin, milled

Mint Marks:
On the obverse of the B.U. coin, the Star of David, and on the obverse of the proof coin, the Hebrew letter "Mem"

Designer:
Rothschild and Lippman ("Roli").

Mint:
Israel Government Mint, Jerusalem.