New Agora and Sheqel Series

With the introduction of the sheqel on February 24, 1980, a series of new agora coins was put into circulation. One new agora was equal to ten (old) agorot.

The motifs of the first four coins in the series (1, 5, and 10 new agorot and 1/2 sheqel) were identical to those of the same value coins in the previous series. The denomination side was designed by the Currency Supply Unit of the Bank of Israel by combining letters from previous issues. This was done because it was decided not to commission a graphic artist to do the job, in view of the secrecy that shrouded the preparation of the sheqel series. The foreign mints that struck the coins also prepared the models, on the basis of these designs.

 

Starting with the IS 1 coin, the designs were prepared by graphic artists selected in competitions after the veil of secrecy was lifted.

 

This series consisted of nine denominations, the largest number in any one series. ​