Roe and Lily of the Valleys

"Flora and Fauna from the Song of Songs" Coin, 1992/5753

The Roe and Lily of the Valleys

The Song of Songs is perhaps the most sublime love poem ever written. Attributed to King Solomon, the Song of Songs is regarded as a conversation between the People of Israel and God, and an expression of God's deep and eternal love for Israel. Some take the poems at face value, as expressions of the innocent human love of shepherds and shepherdesses in the bosom of nature. All agree on the beauty of its poetry, which reflects a deep love of the landscape, springtime, and flora and fauna of Israel. The "Roe and Lily of the
Valley" commemorative coin is second in the "Flora and Fauna from the Song of Songs" Series. "Be thou like to a roe" she tells him, while comparing herself to "the lily of the valleys".

Obverse: Face value in Hebrew and English, 1 New Sheqel on the Silver B.U. Coin and 18mm Gold Coin, 2 New Sheqalim on the Silver Proof Coin, 5 New Sheqalim on the 22mm Gold Coin. Right of the face value is the Israel State Emblem, left, the Lily of the Valleys. "ISRAEL appears in Hebrew, Arabic and English with the biblical quote "lily of the valleys" and the source "song of songs 2:1" in Hebrew and English.

Reverse: A roe against a background of a field of flowers. Around the border is the biblical quote "LIKE TO A ROE" appears and reference "(song of songs 8:14)", in Hebrew and in English with the mint year 1992 / 5753.

Edge: Silver B.U. Coin - smooth, Silver Proof and Gold Coin - milled

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

Designer: Obverse - Assaf Berg, Reverse - Ruben Nutels

Plaster models: Tidhar Dagan

Mint: Silver and Gold 22mm - Stuttgart Mint, Gold 18mm - Royal Dutch Mint