Banknotes and Coins
Agora and New Sheqel Series
On September 4, 1985 the sheqel was replaced by the new sheqel, which is equal to 1,000 old sheqalim. A series of new denomination coins was put into circulation together with the new banknotes of the first series.
The three smallest denomination coins of the new series have the same obverse as their counterparts in the previous series, while new designs where used for the two higher denominations. The reverse of the coins was designed by Gabi Neuman, who prepared them in secrecy.
In most cases, the models were produced by mints overseas.
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DiameterRing: 23 mm. Center: 16 mm
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Weight7 gr.
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RimReeded
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AlloyRing: Nickel Bonded Steel. Center: Aureate Bonded Bronze.
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Issue dateFebruary 7, 1995.
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DesignerReuven Nutels
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ReverseThe denomination "10 New Sheqalim" and "Israel" in Hebrew, Arabic and English; the date in Hebrew; branch with dates, vertical lines.
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ObversePalm tree with seven leaves and two baskets with dates; the emblem of the State of Israel; the words "for the redemption of Zion" in ancient and modern Hebrew; vertical lines.
Obverse: An image of Golda Meir.
All other details :unchanged.
Design: Gabi Neumann.
Year: 1995
Date of issue: June 27, 1995.
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Diameter24 mm
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Weight8.2 gr
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Rim12 sides
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AlloyCopper 75%, nickel 25%.
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Issue dateJanuary 2, 1990
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DesignerObverse: Dov Liff. Reverse: Gabi Neumann.
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ReverseCapital of column; the emblem of the State of Israel; "pearls" all around.
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ObverseThe denomination "5 New Sheqalim" in Hebrew, Arabic and English; the date in Hebrew; "Israel" in Hebrew, Arabic and English; "pearls" all around.
Obverse: An image of Levi Eshkol
All other details: unchanged
Design: Gabi Neumann
Year: 1990
Date of issue: September 12, 1990
Addition to the Reverse: The word "Hanukka" in Hebrew and English separated by a tiny candelabrum.
All other details: unchanged
Design: Gabi Neumann
Year: 1991
Date of issue: December 2, 1990
Obverse: An image of Haim Wizeman
All other details: unchanged
Design: Gabi Neumann
Year: 1992
Date of issue: November 17, 1992
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Diameter21.6 mm.
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Weight5.7 gr.
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RimPartially milled: Four segments milled and four segments smooth.
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AlloyNickel-plated steel
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Issue dateDecember 9, 2007.
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DesignerObverse and reverse – Ruben Nutels.
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ReverseThe words "2 New Sheqalim" in Hebrew, Arabic and English; the year of minting in Hebrew; the word "Israel" in Hebrew, Arabic and English; pearls around the top half of the coin.
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ObverseA pair of cornucopia filled with fruit and grain with a pomegranate in between; pearls around the top half of the coin; the State symbol.
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Diameter18 mm.
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Weight4 gr.
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RimSmooth
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AlloyCopper 75%, nickel 25%.
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Issue dateSeptember 4, 1985.
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DesignerObverse and Model: Victor Houster. Reverse: Gabi Neumann.
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ReverseThe denomination "1 New Sheqel" in Hebrew, Arabic and English; the date in Hebrew; "Israel" in Hebrew, Arabic and English.
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ObverseLily; "Yehud" in ancient Hebrew; the emblem of the State of Israel.
In 1994, the coin was issued using a different alloy-plated steel. The coin weighs 3.5 grams.
In order to differentiate it from the previous issue, a dot was minted on the obverse side, below the emblem of the State.
Addition to the Reverse: The word "Hanukka" in Hebrew and English separated by a tiny candelabrum.
All other details: unchanged.
Design: Gabi Neumann.
Year: 1986.
Date of issue: December 6, 1985.
Addition to the Reverse: The words "Israel's 40th Anniversary" in Hebrew.
All other details: unchanged.
Design: Gabi Neumann.
Year: 1988.
Date of issue: June 7, 1988.
Obverse: An image of Maimonides (Rambam).
All other details: unchanged.
Design: Gabi Neumann.
Year: 1988.
Date of issue: July 27, 1988.
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Diameter26 mm.
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Weight6.5 gr.
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RimSmooth.
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AlloyCopper 92%, aluminium 6%, nickel 2%.
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Issue dateSeptember 4, 1985.
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DesignerObverse: Nathan Karp. Reverse: Gabi Neumann.
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ReverseThe denomination "1/2 New Sheqel" in Hebrew, Arabic and English; the date in Hebrew; "Israel" in Hebrew, Arabic and English.
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ObverseLyre; the emblem of the State of Israel.
Obverse: An image of Baron Edmond de Rothschild on a background formed by the names of 44 settlements in the Land of Israel.
All other details: unchanged.
Design: Gabi Neumann.
Models: Tidhar Dagan.
Year: 1986.
Date of issue: July 27, 1986.
Addition to the Reverse: The word "Hanukka" in Hebrew and English separated by a tiny candelabrum.
All other details: unchanged.
Design: Gabi Neumann.
Year: 1987.
Date of issue: December 10, 1986.
Addition to the Reverse: The words "Israel's 40th Anniversary" in Hebrew.
All other details: unchanged.
Design: Gabi Neumann.
Year: 1988.
Date of issue: June 7, 1988.
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Diameter22 mm.
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Weight4 gr.
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RimSmooth
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AlloyCopper 92%, aluminium 6%, nickel 2%.
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Issue dateSeptember 4, 1985.
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DesignerObverse: Nathan Karp. Reverse: Gabi Neumann.
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ReverseThe denomination "10" on a square background; "Agorot" in Hebrew, Arabic and English; the date in Hebrew.
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ObverseReplica of a coin issued by Mattathias Antigonus (37 - 40 B.C.E.) with the seven-branched candelabrum; the emblem of the State of Israel; "Israel" in Hebrew, Arabic and English.
Addition to the Reverse: The word "Hanukka" in Hebrew and English separated by a tiny candelabrum.
All other details: unchanged.
Design: Gabi Neumann.
Year: 1987.
Date of issue: December 10, 1986.
Addition to the Reverse: The words "Israel's 40th Anniversary" in Hebrew.
All other details: unchanged.
Design: Gabi Neumann.
Year: 1988.
Date of issue: June 7, 1988.
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Diameter19.5 mm.
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Weight3 gr.
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RimSmooth.
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AlloyCopper 92%, aluminium 6%, nickel 2%.
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Issue dateSeptember 4, 1985.
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Cancellation dateJanuary 1, 2008
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DesignerGabi Neumann.
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ReverseThe denomination "5" on a square background; "Agorot" in Hebrew and English; the date in Hebrew.
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ObverseReplica of a coin from the fourth year of the war of the Jews against Rome depicting a lulav between two etrogim; the emblem of the State of Israel; "Israel" in Hebrew, Arabic and English.
Ceased to be legal tender: January 1, 2008.
Addition to the Reverse: The word "Hanukka" in Hebrew and English separated by a tiny candelabrum.
All other details: unchanged.
Design: Gabi Neumann.
Year: 1987.
Date of issue: December 10, 1986.
Addition to the Reverse: The words "Israel's 40th Anniversary" in Hebrew.
All other details: unchanged.
Design: Gabi Neumann.
Year: 1988.
Date of issue: June 7, 1988.
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Diameter17 mm.
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Weight2 gr.
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RimSmooth
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AlloyCopper 92%, aluminium 6%, nickel 2%.
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Issue dateSeptember 4, 1985.
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DesignerGabi Neumann.
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ReverseThe denomination "1" on a square background; "Agora" in Hebrew and English; the date in Hebrew.
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ObverseAncient galley; the emblem of the State of Israel; "Israel" in Hebrew, Arabic and English.
Ceased to be legal cash tender: April 1, 1991.
Addition to the Reverse: The word "Hanukka" in Hebrew and English separated by a tiny candelabrum.
All other details: unchanged.
Design: Gabi Neumann.
Year: 1987.
Date of issue: December 10, 1986.
Addition to the Reverse: The words "Israel's 40th Anniversary" in Hebrew.
All other details: unchanged.
Design: Gabi Neumann.
Year: 1988.
Date of issue: June 7, 1988.
Currency in circulation
Value of banknotes in circulation
Value of coins in circulation
Legislation & Regulation
Planning of banknotes, coins and commemorative coins
The currency system in Israel
Private automatic cash withdrawal machines are operated by nonbank entities and are loaded with cash that is provided by a banking corporation. The public is able to withdraw authentic high-quality banknotes from such machines, and can also withdraw cash from various merchants, provided from their cash registers.
Most cash deposits are made by merchants who maintain their business with the banking corporation.
The general public can deposit cash at any time using ATMs that enable deposits.
Large merchants are able to use a direct deposit channel from their premises to a cash center, through a courier company. All cash deposited at a cash center is counted using machines approved by the Bank of Israel. Following the counting, the cash determined to be "usable" is recycled to the public, and the rest is deposited with the Bank of Israel to be removed from circulation in order to ensure the quality of the cash in circulation.
Banking machines to provide currency services such as cash withdrawals and deposits.
Banking corporations make cash withdrawals from the Bank of Israel through their logistics centers, which are called cash centers. The cash centers provide cash to the banking corporation branches, ATMs, and banking corporation customers.
Commemorative Coins
Issuance of commemorative coins: As the exclusive issuer of legal tender in Israel, the Bank also issues commemorative coins each year and to mark special occasions. The Governor determines the form of the commemorative coins and special coins with the approval of the Supervisory Council and the Government (as noted in Section 43 of the Law).
Issuance of commemorative coins: As the exclusive issuer of legal tender in Israel, the Bank also issues commemorative coins, each year and to mark special occasions as well. The Governor determines the form of the commemorative coins and special coins with the approval of the Supervisory Council and the Government (as noted in Section 43 of the Law). To that end, the Governor is assisted by the Committee for the Planning of Banknotes, Coins, and Commemorative Coins. The coins are made of silver or gold, and marketed to the public and to collectors in Israel and abroad through a marketing company.
In accordance with Section 43(a) of the Bank of Israel Law, 5770-2010, the marketing of commemorative coins, special coins, and other numismatic items issued by the Bank of Israel (hereinafter, “the coins”) shall be given to a company appointed by the Minister of Finance, with the consent of the Governor.
According to the provisions of low, Minister of Finance Moshe Kahlon, with the consent of the Governor Dr. Karnit Flug, appointed the Israel Coins and Medals Corporation Ltd. (corp. ID #510298573), together with the G.R.A.S. Designs and Combinations Ltd. (corp. ID #511567059) as a nonexclusive marketers of commemorative coins, special coins, and numismatic items issued by the Bank of Israel, that are legal tender in Israel.
If you would like to be appointed as a marketer of commemorative coins, you must fill in and submit the request forms available at the following link
Application Form for (Non-Exclusive) Approval to Market Commemorative Coins
With the submission of this form, including its appendices, the submitter (hereinafter, the applicant) declares its agreement with all the marketing approval terms and all other provisions of the application documents, including all the terms of the framework agreement (including its appendices) and the considerations taken into account when approving the request by the Ministry of Finance and the Bank of Israel and affirms that it has no reservations regarding them. The applicant declares that should its application be accepted and approved as noted above, it undertakes to act in accordance with the application documents and the framework agreement (including its appendices) and the attached as Part B, signed by the applicant and attached to the application documents. The applicant declares that it is known to it that in accordance with the provisions of the Bank of Israel Law, 5770-2010, the marketing of the coins is dependent on receipt of the approval of the Minister of Finance and the consent of the Governor, and this is over and above the applicant’s complying with the requirements of this form, including its appendices.
