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25 mil coin – the State of Israel's first coin

The Anglo-Palestine Bank Ltd., which prepared the first banknotes even before the State was declared, did not prepare coins. The first steps toward issuing coins were taken by the State itself after its establishment. It was done very quickly, after realizing that there was a shortage of British Mandate coins, which were then in circulation.

Israel's government requested proposals for the design of a new coin series from the Israel Numismatics Society. Until those were ready, a coin with a value of 25 mil was issued. The term "mil" was carried over from the British Mandate. The first coin in the new series, a 50 pruta coin, was only entered into circulation on May 11, 1949.
The minting year 5708 (1948) appears only on 25 mil coins which were minted in Jerusalem; those printed in Holon bear the minting year 5709.
  • Diameter
    30 mm.
  • Weight
    3.1-3.8 gr.
  • Rim
    Smooth
  • Alloy
    Aluminium 97%, magnesium 3%.
  • Issue date
    April 6, 1949
  • Cancellation date
    September 6, 1950
  • Designer
  • Reverse
    The denomination "25 Mils" in Hebrew and Arabic; the date in Hebrew; two stylized olive branches.
  • Obverse
    Cluster of grapes; "Israel" in Hebrew and Arabic.
This page was last updated on: 18/07/2024