Chapter II
Trade Coins
Page 4

Sheqalim series

1 Sheqel = 100 New Agorot

Date introduced: 24 February 1980

1 New Agora
Obverse: Palm Tree (132 - 135 AD)

The 1 New Agora trade coin is modeled after a series of bronze coins, issued by Simon Bar Kochba during the second Jewish revolt against the Roman Empire (132 - 135 AD). The ancient coin shown here depicts a palm tree with ripe dates, is inscribed "Shimon" and undated.

1 New Agora
Regular-issue trade coin

Issued: 1980 - 1982

Catalog # 106
Alloy: aluminium 97%, magnesium 3%
Diameter: 15 mm
Weight: 0.6 gr
Edge : smooth

Date

Mintage

Remarks

Value USD

Heb.

Civil

Quantity

Mint

F

VF

XF

AU

Unc.

5740

1980

110,000,000

Winnipeg

Mintage 200,000,000, of which 90,000,000 melted down 

00.05

00.05

00.08

00.12

00.20

5741

1981

1,000,000

Winnipeg

0.50

0.50

0.70

1.50

3.00

5742

1982

1,000,000

Stuttgart

0.20

0.20

0.30

0.50

1.00

5 New Agorot
Obverse: State Emblem

The obverse of the 5 New Agorot trade coin shows the Menorah in its official form as Israel's State emblem. The best known origin of the modern design can be seen on the Arch of Titus in Rome, where The Sack of Jerusalem by Titus in 70 AD is illustrated in the finest detail. The modern State emblem exemplifies the resurrection of the People of Israel, almost 1900 years after the destruction of the Second Temple.

5 New Agorot
Regular-issue trade coin

Issued: 1980 - 1982

Catalog # 107
Alloy: aluminium 97%, magnesium 3%
Diameter: 18.5 mm
Weight: 0.9 gr
Edge : reeded

Date

Mintage

Remarks

Value USD

Heb.

Civil

Quantity

Mint

F

VF

XF

AU

Unc.

5740

1980

69,532,000

Winnipeg

0.05

0.05

0.08

0.12

0.20

5741

1981

1,000,000

Winnipeg

0.50

0.50

0.70

1.50

3.00

5742

1982

5,000,000

Stuttgart

0.20

0.20

0.30

0.50

1.00

10 New Agorot
Obverse: Three pomegranates (66-70 AD)

The 10 New Agorot coin depicts a High priest staff with three buds of pomegranates, as it appeared on a silver coin minted in Jerusalem during the first revolt against the Romans (66 - 70 AD).

10 New Agorot

Regular-issue trade coin
Issued: 1980 - 1984

Catalog # 108
Alloy: copper 92%, nickel 8%
Diameter: 16 mm
Weight: 2.1 gr
Edge: reeded

Date

Mintage

Remarks

Value USD

Heb.

Civil

Quantity

Mint

F

VF

XF

AU

Unc.

5740

1980

167,932,000

Winnipeg

0.05

0.05

0.10

0.20

0.40

5741

1981

123,000,000

Stuttgart

0.05

0.05

0.10

0.20

0.40

5741

1981

28,160,000

Jerusalem

5741

1981

90,000,000

Paris

0.10

0.10

0.20

0.40

1.00

5742

1982

23,000,000

Stuttgart

0.05

0.05

0.10

0.20

0.40

5743

1983

2,500,000

Jerusalem

0.10

0.10

0.20

0.30

0.50

5744

1984

500,000

Jerusalem

0.40

0.40

0.70

1.20

2.00

½ Sheqel
Obverse: Roaring Lion (8th Century BC)

The origin and whereabouts of the Roaring Lion on the obverse of the ½ Sheqel trade coin remains one of the greatest mysteries of Holy Land archaeology since 1903, when it was discovered at Megiddo by Gottlieb Schumacher, a German railway engineer (the Dera'a to Haifa branch line of the Hedjaz railway was built under his management) cum archaeologist, born in a Templar community in Haifa. The depiction in great detail of the King of Beasts appears on a seal, inscribed with the words "Shema Servant of Jerobeam". As two kings with the same name, Jerobeam I and Jerobeam II, ruled the kingdom of Israel, it is believed that Shema was a high official of king Jerobeam II (8th Century BC). Shortly after its discovery, Schumacher presented the seal as a gift to the Ottoman sultan Abd-el Hamid II. Since then the "Seal of Shema" has mysteriously vanished, never to be seen again. A plaster copy was made prior to its handover to the sultan, preserving this beautiful piece of Biblical history for posterity.

½ Sheqel

Regular-issue trade coin
Issued: 1980 - 1984

Catalog # 109
Alloy: cupro-nickel (copper 75%, nickel 25%)
Diameter: 20 mm
Weight: 3 gr
Edge : reeded

Date

Mintage

Remarks

Value USD

Heb.

Civil

Quantity

Mint

F

VF

XF

AU

Unc.

5740

1980

52,308,000

Bern

0.10

0.10

0.15

0.25

0.40

5741

1981

15,296,000

Paris

0.10

0.10

0.15

0.25

0.40

5741

1981

37,976,000

Jerusalem

0.10

0.10

0.15

0.25

0.40

5742

1982

18,808,484

Jerusalem

0.10

0.10

0.15

0.25

0.40

5743

1983

250,000

Jerusalem

0.50

0.50

0.80

1.50

3.00

5744

1984

250,000

Jerusalem

0.50

0.50

0.80

1.50

3.00

1 Sheqel
Obverse: Chalice (66 - 70 AD)

The design of the 1 Sheqel trade coin is based on a series of Sheqel coins minted from year one through year four (66 - 70 AD) of the Judeo-Roman War. Both the ancient coin and its modern Israeli sibling are inscribed "Sheqel Israel", above a beautifully sculpted chalice with pearls on its rim.

1 Sheqel

Regular-issue trade coin
Issued: 1981 - 1985

Catalog # 111
Alloy: cupro-nickel (copper 75%, nickel 25%)
Diameter: 23 mm
Weight: 5 gr
Edge : intermittently reeded and smooth

Date

Mintage

Remarks

Value USD

Heb.

Civil

Quantity

Mint

F

VF

XF

AU

Unc.

5741

1981

99,000,000

Paris

0.10

0.10

0.15

0.25

0.50

5741

1981

15,570,000

Bern

0.10

0.10

0.15

0.25

0.50

5741

1981

39,970,000

Jerusalem

0.10

0.10

0.15

0.25

0.50

5742

1982

15,850,000

Paris

0.10

0.10

0.15

0.25

0.50

5743

1983

26,360,200

Jerusalem

0.10

0.10

0.20

0.25

0.50

5744

1984

2,205,000

Jerusalem

0.20

0.20

0.25

0.40

0.80

5744

1984

30,000,000

Winnipeg

0.10

0.10

0.15

0.25

0.50

5745

1985

500,000

Jerusalem

1.00

1.00

1.30

2.00

4.00

5 Sheqalim
Obverse: Cornucopia (135 - 104 BC)

The 5 Sheqalim is adorned with a single cornucopia filled with fruits. The cornucopia (horn of plenty) was a popular decoration during the Hasmonean period, possibly indicating a period of economic and commercial prowess. The ancient coin depicted was minted during the reign of John (Yehohanan) Hyrcanus I (135 - 104 BC). This coin shows a single cornucopia, an oddity considering that almost all other similar coins from that period are decorated with a double cornucopiae.

5 Sheqalim

Regular-issue trade coin
Issued: 1982 - 1985

Catalog # 118
Alloy: aluminium-bronze (copper 92%, aluminium 6%, nickel 2%)
Diameter: 24 mm
Weight: 6.1 gr
Edge : reeded

Date

Mintage

Remarks

Value USD

Heb.

Civil

Quantity

Mint

F

VF

XF

AU

Unc.

5742

1982

18,000,000

Santiago

0.10

0.10

0.15

0.25

0.50

5742

1982

12,000,000

Paris

5743

1983

994,000

Jerusalem

0.50

0.50

0.70

1.00

2.00

5744

1984

9,000,000

Santiago

0.10

0.10

0.15

0.25

0.50

5744

1984

8,389,400

Jerusalem

5745

1985

250,005

Jerusalem

1.00

1.00

1.30

2.00

4.00

10 Sheqalim
Obverse: Galley (4 BC - 6AD)

The motif on the obverse of the 10 Sheqalim trade coin was taken from a coin depicting a war galley, issued by Herod Archelaus, Ethnarch of Samaria, Judea and Idumea. Most coins minted during his rule (4 BC - 6 AD) have a nautical theme.

10 Sheqalim

Regular-issue trade coin
Issued: 1982 - 1985

Catalog # 119
Alloy: cupro-aluminium (copper 75%, aluminium 25%)
Diameter: 26 mm
Weight: 8 gr
Edge : smooth

Date

Mintage

Remarks

Value USD

Heb.

Civil

Quantity

Mint

F

VF

XF

AU

Unc.

5742

1982

18,000,000

Stuttgart

0.20

0.20

0.30

0.50

1.00

5742

1982

18,084,123

Jerusalem

5743

1983

17,850,750

Jerusalem

0.20

0.20

0.30

0.50

1.00

5744

1984

31,950,200

Jerusalem

0.20

0.20

0.30

0.50

1.00

5745

1985

15,864,436

Jerusalem

0.20

0.20

0.30

0.50

1.00

5745

1985

10,000,000

Stuttgart

10 Sheqalim

"Hanukka"

Commemorative trade coin
Issued: 1983

Catalog # 134
Alloy: cupro-aluminium (copper 75%, aluminium 25%)
Diameter: 26 mm
Weight: 8 gr
Edge : smooth

Reverse: Small Hanukka lamp below denomination

Date

Mintage

Remarks

Value USD

Heb.

Civil

Quantity

Mint

F

VF

XF

AU

Unc.

5754

1983

2,000,000

Jerusalem

0.50

0.50

0.70

1.20

2.50

 10 Sheqalim
Theodor Herzl
Commemorative trade coin
Jewish Personalities Series
1984

Catalog # 137
Alloy: cupro-aluminium (copper 75%, aluminium 25%)
Diameter: 26 mm
Weight: 8 gr
Edge: smooth

Special feature:
Effigy of Theodor Herzl on obverse

Date

Mintage

Remarks

Value USD

Heb.

Civil

Quantity

Mint

F

VF

XF

AU

Unc.

5744

1984

2,002,500

Bern

0.50

0.50

0.70

1.20

2.50

Theodor (Ze'ev Benjamin) Herzl (1860 - 1904)
Founder of the modern Zionist movement and visionary of the State of Israel.

50 Sheqalim
Obverse: Fruits (69 - 70 AD)

The 50 Sheqalim trade coin is modeled after a coin minted during the 4th year (69 - 70 AD) of the First Judeo-Roman war (66 - 73 AD). Depicted are a lulav (a ripe, green, closed frond of the date palm tree), flanked by two etrogim (citrons). The inscription on the coin reads "Year Four". It is interesting to note that the characters on the coin are of the Middle Hebrew alphabet which was used in the Holy Land from approximately 1300 to 400 BC, instead of the Late Hebrew alphabet (in use from around 400 BC to 100 AD).

50 Sheqalim
Regular-issue trade coin

Issued: 1984 - 1985

Catalog # 139

Alloy: aluminium-bronze (copper 92%, aluminium 6%, nickel 2%)
Diameter: 28 mm
Weight: 9 gr
Edge: reeded

Date

Mintage

Remarks

Value USD

Heb.

Civil

Quantity

Mint

F

VF

XF

AU

Unc.

5744

1984

13,993,658

Jerusalem

0.20

0.20

0.30

0.50

1.00

5745

1985

1,000,100

Jerusalem

0.50

0.50

0.70

1.00

2.00

 50 Sheqalim
David Ben Gurion
Commemorative trade coin
Jewish Personalities Series
1985

Catalog # 147

Alloy: aluminium-bronze (copper 92%, aluminium 6%, nickel 2%)

Diameter: 28 mm
Weight: 9 gr
Edge: reeded

Special feature:
Effigy of David Ben Gurion on obverse

Date

Mintage

Remarks

Value USD

Heb.

Civil

Quantity

Mint

F

VF

XF

AU

Unc.

5745

1985

1,000,000

Paris

0.50

0.50

0.80

1.50

3.00

David Ben Gurion (1866 - 1973)
The most prominent and influential public figure during the fifteen years preceding the establishment of the State of Israel, and the nation's first prime minister 1948-1954 & 1955-1964.

100 Sheqalim
Obverse: Detail of a coin with Menora (40-37 BC)

Shown on the obverse of the 100 Sheqalim trade coin is a fragment from a coin, issued by Mattathias Antigonus (40 - 37 BC), depicting a Menorah (seven-armed candelabrum).

100 Sheqalim

Regular-issue trade coin
Issued: 1984 - 1985

Catalog # 143
Alloy: cupro-nickel (copper 75%, nickel 25%)
Diameter: 29 mm
Weight: 10.8 gr
Edge : widely reeded

Date

Mintage

Remarks

Value USD

Heb.

Civil

Quantity

Mint

F

VF

XF

AU

Unc.

5744

1984

15,000,000

Winnipeg

0.20

0.20

0.30

0.50

1.00

5744

1984

15,028,433

Jerusalem

0.20

0.20

0.30

0.50

1.00

5745

1985

19,637,806

Jerusalem

0.20

0.20

0.30

0.50

1.00

100 Sheqalim

"Hanukka"

Commemorative trade coin
Issued: 1984

Catalog # 146
Alloy: cupro-nickel (copper 75%, nickel 25%)
Diameter: 29 mm
Weight: 10.8 gr
Edge : widely reeded

Reverse: Small Hanukka lamp below denomination

Date

Mintage

Remarks

Value USD

Heb.

Civil

Quantity

Mint

F

VF

XF

AU

Unc.

5745

1984

2,000,000

Jerusalem

0.50

0.50

0.80

1.50

3.00

 100 Sheqalim
Ze'ev Jabotinsky
Commemorative trade coin
Jewish Personalities Series
1985

Catalog # 151
Alloy: cupro-nickel (copper 75%, nickel 25%)
Diameter: 29 mm
Weight: 10.8 gr
Edge: widey reeded

Special feature:
Effigy of Ze'ev Jabotinsy on obverse

Date

Mintage

Remarks

Value USD

Heb.

Civil

Quantity

Mint

F

VF

XF

AU

Unc.

5745

1985

2,000,000

Paris

0.50

0.50

0.80

1.50

3.00

Ze'ev (Vladimir) Jabotinsky (1880 - 1940)
Prominent Zionist leader, politician, author, orator, and founder of the Revisionist Movement.

Details of Mints

Place

Country

Name of Mint

Bern

Switzerland

Federal Mint Swissmint

Jerusalem

Israel

Government Printer - Israel Mint

Paris

France

Monnaie de Paris

Santiago

Chile

Casa de Moneda de Chile

Stuttgart

Germany

Staatliche Münzen Baden-Württemberg (State Mint of Baden-Württemberg)

Winnipeg

Canada

Royal Canadian Mint

Back to Index