Pidyon Haben 1975

Pidyon Haben Coin 5735-1975
Redemption of the First-Born Son
Legal Tender Issued by The Bank of Israel

The sixth in the series of Pidyon Haben Coins was issued in 1975 and discontinued prior to the 1976 issue.

Pidyon Haben is the redemption of a firstborn son from his special dedication to the service of G-d. The Pidyon Haben ceremony takes place on the 31st day after birth, when the firstborn son is redeemed by a Cohen (priest) for 5 Shekels of silver, originally a total weight of 96.15 grams of silver. Today, it is customary to give the Cohen 100 grams of silver or pay him the current value of 100 grams of silver.

Obverse:
The face value "25 Lirot" in Hebrew. Centered in the upper area is the official emblem of the State of Israel. Around the border, in Arabic, English and Hebrew is the word "Israel" and the mint year "1975" and its Hebrew equivalent "5735"

Reverse:
On the left, in an incuse elipse, the Biblical quotation from Exodus 34:20, "All the first born sons thou shalt redeem". Surrounding the inscription are five silver Shekalim struck in Jerusalem in the period of the war of the Jews against Rome (66-70 CE). Clockwise from left to right, the two sides of the shekel from 68 CE, on the back a branch with three pomegranates, around the inscription "Jerusalem the Holy City". On the face of the shekel appears a chalice and the inscription "Israeli Shekel" and above the chalice the date - "the Year Three".

The two sides of the Shekel from 66 CE, on the face the inscription "Israel Shekel" and above the cup the inscription "Year One". On the back, pomegranates and inscription "Jerusalem the Holy City".
On the face of the Shekel from 67 CE the inscription "Israeli Shekel" and above the chalice the inscription "Pidyon Haben Coin".

Edge:
The B.U. coin has a smooth edge. The proof coin has a milled edge.

Mint Marks:
On the obverse of the B.U. coin, the Star of David, and on the obverse of the proof coin, the Hebrew letter "Mem", centered in the lower border.

Designer:
Rothschild and Lippman ("Roli").

Mint:
Israel Government Mint, Jerusalem.