Israel: New Gold and Silver Proof Coins Mark the 76th Anniversary of Independence and Standing Together

It was on the 14^th May 1948 or, in the Hebrew calendar Iyar 5, 5708 the State of Israel was proclaimed by David Ben-Gurion (1886 – 1973) the Executive Head of the World Zionist Organization and soon to be first Prime Minister of Israel. His proclamation declared the establishment of a Jewish state in Eretz-Israel to be known formally as the State of Israel. The declaration came into effect on termination of the British Mandate, a League of Nations mandate for British administration of the territories of Palestine and Transjordan, both of which had been forfeited by the Ottoman Empire following the end of World War I in 1918. The mandate ceased at midnight that day and it is this anniversary which has celebrated annually in Israel as Independence Day, a national holiday since 1948.

For seventy six years, Israel has continued to prosper and serve as a beacon of light to humanity in almost every domain, particularly in science, medicine, economics, technology and innovations. In addition, Israel continues to absorb hundreds of thousands of Jewish immigrants from all over the world and is the centre of spirituality for the Jewish people. This last year has proved to be one of the hardest which the State of Israel and the Jewish people have experienced. Faced with exceptionally great challenges, this year’s Independence Day 2024 has proven to be a symbol of unity, strength and resilience.

The gold and silver proof and BU coins are produced by the Holyland Mint at their facilities in Nesher, Haifa on behalf of the Bank of Israel and designed by Zvika Roitman (obverse) and Eitan Alon (reverse). Depicted on the obverse in the lower portion are houses and trees representing a close connection to the land by its people. A tractor plowing fields symbolises the significant agricultural industry in the southern part of the country. Across the centre, two hands reach out to each other, one from either side of the coin. The inscription ISRAEL STANDS TOGETHER appears along the upper left border and in Arabic along the right rim with the words in Hebrew appearing boldly in the centre above the reaching hands. The numeral 76 appears in the background as a linear design. The reverse side features The Israeli State Emblem placed along the upper rim and in between commemorative text along the upper rim which reads INDEPENDENCE DAY 2024 shown in both English to the right of the emblem and Hebrew on the left side. The denomination 10 NEW SHEKELS (gold) 2 or 1 NEW SHEKELS (silver) is centred. The text ISRAEL is placed along the lower right rim in English, Hebrew and Arabic. On the lower left border along the rim is an artistic element depicting joined hands. Where applicable, a mintmark Mem "מ" denotes proof strikes and the Star of David is indicative of BU strikes. 

Each encapsulated coin is presented in a Holyland-branded custom case and is accompanied with a certificate of authenticity. The two silver and two gold coin denominations are all available as separate purchases. For more information about these coins and others issued by the Bank of Israel, please visit the e-webshop of the Israel Coins and Medals Corporation – official distributors.