Architecture and Design 2004/5764
2nd in the Artists of Israel Series
Israeli-born artist Prof. Yarom Vardimon adopted a novel approach and chose to express the theme of the coin by returning to the basic symbols of form: the triangle, circle and square, as well as the basic colors – red, blue and yellow. This is the first Israeli silver commemorative coin to be minted with color. Prof. Vardimon created the Hebrew letter "Aleph" with these shapes; being the first letter of the Hebrew alphabet, it serves as the basis for all visual communication and, in addition, it is the first letter of the Hebrew word for architecture.
Prof. Vardimon was Head of the Graphic Arts Department at the Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design in Jerusalem, taught in the School of Architecture at Tel Aviv University and served as Vice-President of the Shenkar College of Engineering and Design, in charge of academic matters related to design and architecture. His works are displayed in museums and collections around the world and he is the recipient of numerous awards.
Obverse: Face value in Hebrew and English, Israel State Emblem, "Israel" in English, Hebrew and Arabic, mint year, lower left-hand border, three basic geometrical shapes - triangle, circle and square - on the Silver Proof Coin with color added: a blue triangle, yellow circle and red square.
Reverse: A three-dimensional design of the Hebrew letter "Aleph" created from the basic shapes: triangle, circle and square; the same basic shapes as on the obverse appear once again, in the lower righthand border, on the Silver Proof Coin with the same colors as on the obverse, inscription "ARCHITECTURE AND DESIGN" in Hebrew and English.
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: Yarom Vardimon
Plaster Models: Tidhar Dagan
Dies: Dutch Mint
Mint: Dutch Mint