First Series of the Pound

On the initiative of its first Governor, David Horowitz, and with the assistance of a special committee headed by Mr. S. Hoofien, a new series of banknotes was prepared; this, within the authority vested in the Bank by the Bank of Israel Law.
The committee chose Israeli landscapes as the motif, and commissioned graphic artists from Thomas de la Rue and Co. of London to design the notes. Abstract patterns were printed on the back of the notes. Four notes were gradually put into circulation in August-October 1955. The fifth was issued in 1957. ​
  • Dimensions
    130 X 72 mm
  • Designer
    Thomas de la Rue and Co., London.​
  • Issue date
    August 4, 1955.​
  • Cancellation date
    March 31, 1984.​
  • Color
    Red

Front: ​

Ruins of an ancient synagogue at Bir'am in Upper Galilee; the denomination "500 Pruta" and "Bank of Israel" in Hebrew.​

Back:​

An abstract design; the denomination "500 Pruta" and "Bank of Israel" in Arabic and English.​

Colour of numbering:​

Black.

Signatures:​

Governor of the Bank David Horowitz; Chairman of the Advisory Council S. Hoofien.​

Watermark:​

Seven-branched candelabrum with an imprint of cyclamen.​

  • Dimensions
    135 X 72 mm.​
  • Designer
    Thomas de la Rue and Co., London.​
  • Issue date
    October 27, 1955.​
  • Cancellation date
    March 31, 1984.​
  • Color
    Blue

Front: ​

View of Upper Galilee; the denomination "One Israeli Pound" and "Bank of Israel" in Hebrew.​

Back:​

An abstract design; the denomination "One Israeli Pound" and "Bank of Israel" in Arabic and English.​

Colour of numbering:​

Black.​

Signatures:​

Governor of the Bank David Horowitz; Chairman of the Advisory Council S. Hoofien.​

Watermark:​

Seven-branched candelabrum with an imprint of anemones.​

  • Dimensions
    140 X 78 mm.​
  • Designer
    Thomas de la Rue and Co., London.​
  • Issue date
    October 27, 1955.​
  • Cancellation date
    March 31, 1984.​
  • Color
    Brown

Front: ​

Negev landscape with a settlement and farm equipment; the denomination "Five Israeli Pounds" and "Bank of Israel" in Hebrew.​

Back:​

An abstract design; the denomination "Five Israeli Pounds" and "Bank of Israel" in Arabic and English.​

Colour of numbering:​

Black.

Signatures:​

Governor of the Bank David Horowitz; Chairman of the Advisory Council S. Hoofien.​

Watermark:​

Seven-branched candelabrum with an imprint of irises.​

  • Dimensions
    150 X 82 mm.​
  • Designer
    Thomas de la Rue and Co., London.​
  • Issue date
    August 4, 1955.​
  • Cancellation date
    March 31, 1984.​
  • Color
    Green.​

Front: ​

View of the Jezreel Valley depicting settlements and cultivated fields; the denomination "Ten Israeli Pounds" and "Bank of Israel" in Hebrew.​

Back:​

An abstract design; the denomination "Ten Israeli Pounds" and "Bank of Israel" in Arabic and English.​

Colour of numbering:​

Black. Red (June, 1958).​

Signatures:​

Governor of the Bank David Horowitz; Chairman of the Advisory Council S. Hoofien.​

Watermark:​

Seven-branched candelabrum with an imprint of tulips.​

  • Dimensions
    160 X 87 mm.​
  • Designer
    Thomas de la Rue and Co., London.​
  • Issue date
    September 19, 1957.​
  • Cancellation date
    March 31, 1984.​
  • Color
    Blue

Front: ​

The road to Jerusalem; the denomination "Fifty Israeli Pounds" and "Bank of Israel" in Hebrew.​

Back:​

An abstract design; the denomination "Fifty Israeli Pounds" and "Bank of Israel" in Arabic and English.​

Colour of numbering:​

Black. Red (May, 1960).

Signatures:​

Governor of the Bank David Horowitz; Chairman of the Advisory Council S. Hoofien.​

Watermark:​

Seven-branched candelabrum with an imprint of oleander.​

This page was last updated on: 21/05/2023