Capernaum

Capernaum
Sites in the Holy Land Coin, 5746/1985

One of the holy sites which is of major significance for Jews and Christians is Kefar Nahum or Capernaum. The Kefar Nahum Synagogue was built in the 2nd century. It was destroyed by the Romans less than 100 years later, only to be rebuilt in all of its ornamental Jewish splendor. For Christians, the Capernaum synagogue symbolizes the cradle of their faith. On this spot, among the simple fishermen along the shores of Lake Tiberias, Jesus chose to live and teach. This was the starting point of Jesus' travels. In this Synagogue, Jesus the Jew would deliver many sermons.
The remnants of the Kefar Nahum synagogue, including such items as the Menorah, Shofar, Star of David and the Seven Species, were discovered in the Synagogue, at the beginning of the 20th century. At the Capernaum excavations, coins, remnants of pottery and glass, writings in Greek and Aramaic and a human skeleton, were dug out. Jewish symbols, hewn in stone, have been well preserved and some of them have been included in this impressive Commemorative Coin.

Obverse: The Face Value - 5 sheqalim on the Gold Coin, 1 Sheqel on the Silver Proof and 1/2 Sheqel on the Silver B.U. Coin in Hebrew and Latin characters. The emblem of the State of Israel, word "Israel" in Hebrew, English and Arabic and the mint year - 5746-1985.

Reverse: Remnants of the Capernaum synagogue with its symbolic Jewish decorations and Lake Tiberias in the background. "Capernaum" in Hebrew and English .

Edge: 12 smooth edges on the B.U. Coin, 12 milled edges on the Proof Silver and Gold coins.

Mint Marks: Obverse of B.U. coin - Star of David., Obverse of the Proof coins both silver and gold: the Hebrew letter "mem".

Designer: Obverse - Dan Gelbart., Reverse - Assaf Berg

Mint: Gold coin - The Federal Mint, Switzerland, Silver Proof - Mint of Stuttgart, Silver B.U. - Monnaie de Paris