Obverse. Photo © NumisCorner.com
  • 1 Sheqel 1981-1985, KM# 111, Israel
  • 1 Sheqel 1981-1985, KM# 111, Israel
  • 1 Sheqel 1981-1985, KM# 111, Israel, Judaea, Shekel, First Revolt, year 3, AD 68
Description

Date of issue: January 22, 1981
Ceased to be legal tender:​ September 4, 1985

Obverse

Chalice; "Sheqel Israel" in Hebrew.

A chalice (from Latin calix, mug, borrowed from Greek kalyx, shell, husk) is a goblet or footed cup intended to hold a drink. In general religious terms, it is intended for drinking during a ceremony.

Origin of motif: Coin minted during the First Jewish–Roman War (66–73 CE), sometimes called the Great Revolt (Hebrew: המרד הגדול‎‎ ha-Mered Ha-Gadol). It was the first of three major rebellions by the Jews of Judea Province (Iudaea) against the Roman Empire.

First Jewish Revolt coinage was issued by the Jews after the Zealots captured Jerusalem and the Jewish Temple from the Romans in 66 AD. The Jewish leaders of the revolt minted their own coins to emphasize their newly obtained independence from Rome.

In the Revolt's first year (66–67 AD), the Jews minted only silver coins, which were struck from the Temple’s store of silver. These coins replaced the Tyrian shekel, which had previously been used to pay the Temple tax. The newly minted silver coins included shekels, half-shekels, and quarter-shekels, each being labelled with the year of minting and their denomination. These are the first truly Jewish silver coins, and depict a chalice on the obverse with the year of the revolt above, surrounded by the ancient Hebrew inscription "Shekel of Israel".

Engraver: Gabi Neumann

שקל
ישראל

Reverse

The denomination "1 Sheqel" in Hebrew; the emblem of the State of Israel; "Israel" in Hebrew, English and Arabic; the date in Hebrew.

The Emblem of the State of Israel shows a menorah surrounded by an olive branch on each side, and the writing "ישראל" (Hebrew for Israel) below it. The menorah is described in the Bible as the seven-lamp (six branches) ancient Hebrew lampstand made of pure gold and used in the portable sanctuary set up by Moses in the wilderness and 300 years later in the Temple in Jerusalem. Fresh olive oil of the purest quality was burned daily to light its lamps. The menorah has been a symbol of Judaism since ancient times and is the emblem on the coat of arms of the modern state of Israel.

Engraver: Zvi Narkiss

ישראל
שקל 1
ישראל ISRAEL إسرائيل
התשמ"ד

Edge

Alternating segments: five smooth, five milled

1 Sheqel

KM# 111
Characteristics
Material Cupronickel
Weight 5 g
Diameter 23 mm
Thickness 1.8 mm
Shape round
Alignment Medal

Related coins

Cupronickel, 8 g, ⌀ 26 mm

Aluminium Bronze, 9 g, ⌀ 28 mm

Stainless Steel, 8 g, ⌀ 27.75 mm