Hanukka Lamp from North Africa

Hanukka Lamp from North Africa
Hanukka Coin 5724-1963

The sixth of the Hanukka coins depicts a Hanukka lamp from 18th century North Africa. The original is part of the collection of the Bezalel National Museum. The elaborate style shows decorative elements of various architectural schools: Romanesque arches from southern Europe and Sicily, domes and rooftops inspired by Moslem culture and forms reminiscent of church windows. In this specimen, we see the interplay of cultures that dominated this region for many centuries.

Obverse:
Upon an incuse central panel, in the middle, the face value, in Hebrew, in three lines "1 Israeli Lira". Below, beneath a geometrical pattern, the word "Israel" in Hebrew and Arabic, in two lines and below, close to the lower border, the mint year " 1963" and the Hebrew lettering for 5724.

Reverse:
Upon an incuse central panel, the main part of a North African Hanukka lamp of the 18th century. Underneath, the inscription in Hebrew "Hanukka lamp from North Africa, 18th century".

Edge:
The edges are smooth.

Mint Marks:
On the obverse of the proof coin, the Hebrew letter "mem" centered in the lower border.

Designer:
The Shamir brothers.

Mint:
Royal Dutch Mint, Utrecht, Holland.