Jerusalem 3000 Years

Jerusalem - 3000 Years
Independence Day 1996/5756 48th Anniversary

Commemorative Coin

In 1996/5756, the Bank of Israel issued a Commemorative Coin in honor of the 3,000th Anniversary of Jerusalem. For the first time, this issue included a 5oz. Silver Coin version with a 30 New Sheqalim face value.

The 3,000th Anniversary of Jerusalem celebrated 3,000 years since King David had conquered Jerusalem from the Jebusites and established the "City of David" on the Jebusite Ridge, above the Shiloah Springs. The City was surrounded on three sides by deep valleys. To the north was the hill on which the Temple would be built, which was later to be known as the Temple Mount.

King David made Jerusalem the capital of the People of Israel, bringing together, for the first time, in one place and under one authority, all the government and religious institutions. His son Solomon completed these endeavors by building the Temple on the Temple Mount.

Many nations have ruled Jerusalem and while they conquered the City, ultimately, Jerusalem conquered them. To this very day, Jerusalem continues to captivate the imaginations of millions around the world who feel a special connection to the City.

While over three thousand years of Jerusalem's existence left layer upon layer of history, none of this has ever overshadowed the original quality stamped into the City of David.
The "Jerusalem 3000" Coin encapsulates the history, events and emotions in the trimillennium of Jerusalem and eternalizes the eternal City.

Obverse: The face value in Hebrew and English, the Israel State Emblem, "Israel" in English, Hebrew and Arabic, the mint year and inscription "THREE MILLENNIA JERUSALEM THE CITY OF DAVID" in Hebrew and English.

Reverse: Around the border, the biblical verse "But Judah shall dwell for ever, and Jerusalem from generation to generation" (Joel 4:20) in English, in the center, in Hebrew.

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 "מ" (Mem)

Designer: (An artistic competition was held among art colleges and the winning designs were selected from the Emunah College in Jerusalem)
Obverse Design – Ilana Kakone, Reverse Design – Yehudit Dreyfuss

Plaster Reliefs: Tidhar Dagan

Mint: Silver B.U. Coin and Silver Proof Coin – Mint of Stuttgart, Gold Coin – South African Mint