Birds of Israel

Birds of Israel
Independence Day Coin 2009/5769
In honor of the 61st Anniversary of the State of Israel
Legal issued by the Bank of Israel

Israel is a paradise for birds and ornithologists all year long. Its unique geographic situation - at the junction of three continents, between the Syrian-African Rift and the shores of the Mediterranean Sea - offers a rare combination of conditions for migrating birds, internationally unsurpassed. Twice a year, more than 500 million birds migrate across the skies of Israel, enhancing the country's landscape with their spectacular, multi-colored beauty. The Hoopoe was chosen as Israel's National Bird following the nationwide campaign conducted by the Society for the Protection of Nature and the Tel Aviv University. Numerous references are made in the Jewish Scriptures to the Hoopoe, one of them, " . . . the stork and the heron, after its kinds, and the hoopoe . . ." (Leviticus 11:19) The Hoopoe is also cited as a sign of wisdom.

According to legend, King Solomon wanted to build the Temple (the building that would bring peace to the world) without using instruments made of iron (that denote tools of war) to grind the stones. The Hoopoe disclosed the secret of the Shamir Worm (that had been hidden in its throat), that was capable of grinding stone without using an axe (similar to the modern use of laser rays).

Obverse: Face value in Hebrew and English, Israel State Emblem, "Israel" in English, Hebrew and Arabic; an image of one of the winning birds to the right: the Warbler on the NIS 10 coin, the Hoopoe on the NIS 2 coin and the Finch on the NIS 1 coin. The words "Independence Day 2009" are inscribed along the border in Hebrew and English.

Reverse: The top three birds in the "National Bird of Israel" competition: The winning Hoopoe and the two runner-ups, the Warbler and the Finch; inscription "Birds of Israel" along the border in Hebrew, English and Arabic.

Edge: Silver Prooflike Coin: Smooth, Silver Proof and Gold Coin: Milled

Mint Marks: Silver Prooflike Coin – Star of David, Silver Proof and Gold Coin – Hebrew letter "Mem"

Designer: Igal Gabay

Plaster Models: Tidhar Dagan / Royal Dutch Mint

Dies: Royal Dutch Mint

Mint: Royal Dutch Mint