He gave up his Life in Battle

"And He Gave up His Life in Battle"
Hanukka Coin 5722-1961

The fourth of the Hanukka coins is dedicated to the courage of the Maccabees. With this idea in mind the central motif is the depiction of the battle in the year 162 B.C.E. between the Maccabees and Lycias, the Commanding General of the Seleucides (First Maccabees, Chap. 1, 42-46).
In this battle Elazar Horan, the brother of Judah the Maccabee, gave up his life in solitary combat against the royal elephant. Elazar drove his sword into the underbelly of the elephant which in falling crushed him to death, a fate which Elazar knew awaited him when he performed this deed. The battle ended with the defeat of the Seleucides.

Obverse:
In the center a burning torch and the face value, "1 Israeli Lira" in Hebrew, the mint year 1961-5722, below, the word Israel" in Hebrew and Arabic. Around the left-hand border, the legend in Hebrew, "And he gave up his life in battle".

Reverse:
Within an incused pentagon, a war elephant bearing a turret and Greek soldiers equipped for battle. The elephant is being stabbed by Elazar.

Edge:
Smooth.

Mint Marks:
On the reverse of the proof coin the Hebrew letter "mem" on the bottom right near leg of elephant.

Designer:
Obverse - Jacob Zim.
Reverse - the Shamir brothers.

Mint:
Royal Dutch Mint, Utrecht, Holland.