1/2 Israeli Lira

1/2 ISRAELI LIRA
THE FIGURES SERIES
Silver/999, 5 grams

With dissatisfaction on the part of the public towards the abstract designs on the back of the banknotes in the previous "Landscape" Series, it was decided to issue a new series of banknotes. This time, a Public Committee was set up that included judges, artists, researchers and intellectuals and was headed by the archaeologist, Yigael Yadin.

The basic concept in the design of the new series was "Old versus New" -  design features for the banknote reverses were to be drawn from archaeology and Jewish antiquities discovered in the Land of Israel, such as ruins from Synagogues and graveyards, and the Dead Sea Scrolls, while the face designs of the notes were to feature pioneering figures from the different sectors of Israeli society:

• A Female Soldier representing the Israel Defense Force Nahal (Hebrew acronym for "Fighting Pioneer Youth") Brigade and settlement.
• A Fisherman, representing the development of the fishing industry and seafaring
• A Laborer, representing construction and industry
• A Scientist, representing science and research
• A Young Man and Woman, Pioneers, representing the "melting pot" – ingathering of the exiles and the pioneering spirit

The figures on the notes also served as the watermarks.
This series replaced the previous series and was gradually put into circulation in 1959-1960.

Details taken from "Banknotes and Coins of Israel 1927-2006", published by the Bank of Israel (edited by Yigal Arkin), by courtesy, the Bank of Israel.

Israel Coins and Medals Corp. is proud to introduce this unique series, which is to be the fifth of several series representing the historical banknotes once in circulation in the State of Israel. This interesting series consists of flexible, paper-thin 5 gram pure silver sheets, produced by an innovative manufacturing technique. 

Limited Edition - 1,800 only