Jaffa

Jaffa
Sites in the Holy Land Coin, 1989/5750

Few cities in the world can boast a history as long and colorful as that of Jaffa. It is one of the oldest cities in the world surviving to this day, and became famous even before Jerusalem. The land called Canaan, later Israel, is located at the meeting-point of three continents: Asia, Africa and Europe. Every trade route and conquering army had to pass through this land, and Jaffa served as its major Mediterranean port. The Bible tells us of Jonah who fled from Jaffa; Greek mythology recounts how Perseus saved Andromeda here. The Crusaders saw in Jaffa the port nearest Jerusalem. The world-famous citrus produce of Israel bears this city's name. In 1909, residents of Jaffa established the City of Tel Aviv. Today old Jaffa is united withTel Aviv and a center of arts.

Obverse: Face value in Hebrew and English, 1/2 New Sheqel on the Silver B.U. coin, 1 New Sheqel on the Silver Proof Coin, 5 New Sheqalim on the Gold Coin, the Israel State Emblem to the left of the face value, the word "ISRAEL" in the upper left-hand border in Hebrew, Arabic and English, the mint year 1989 / 5750 in the lower left-hand border.

Reverse: Silhouette of the Port of Jaffa as seen from the sea, the lighthouse and its beams, sailboat and typical houses. In the upper border, "JAFFA" in Hebrew and English.

Edge: Silver B.U. Coin - 12 smooth sides. Silver Proof and Gold Coins - 12 milled sides.

Mint Marks: B.U. Coin - Star of David, Silver and Gold Proof Coins - Hebrew letter "Mem" beneath the face value

Designer: Value - Gideon Keich.

Subjec: Ehud Shafrir.

Plaster models: Tidhar Dagan.

Mint: Silver B.U. and Proof coins - Stuttgart Mint, Gold Coin - Royal Canadian Mint