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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. ​
  • Diameter
    15 mm.
  • Weight
    0.6 gr.
  • Rim
    Smooth
  • Alloy
    Aluminium 97%, magnesium 3%.
  • Issue date
    February 24, 1980
  • Cancellation date
    September 4, 1985
  • Designer
    Currency Supply Unit, Bank of Israel.​
  • Reverse
    The denomination "1 New Agora" and the date in Hebrew.
  • Obverse
    Palm tree; "Israel" in Hebrew and Arabic.
  • Diameter
    18.5 mm.
  • Weight
    0.9 gr.
  • Rim
    Milled
  • Alloy
    Aluminium 97%, magnesium 3%.
  • Issue date
    February 24, 1980
  • Cancellation date
    March 3, 1984
  • Designer
    Currency Supply Unit, Bank of Israel.​
  • Reverse
    The denomination "5 New Agorot" and the date in Hebrew.
  • Obverse
    Relief of the Arch of Titus.
  • Diameter
    16 mm.
  • Weight
    2.1 gr.
  • Rim
    Milled
  • Alloy
    Copper 92%, nickel 8%.
  • Issue date
    February 24, 1980.
  • Cancellation date
    February 28, 1985
  • Designer
    Currency Supply Unit, Bank of Israel.​
  • Reverse
    The denomination "10 New Agorot" and the date in Hebrew.
  • Obverse
    Three pomegranates; the emblem of the State of Israel; "Israel" in Hebrew, English and Arabic.
  • Diameter
    20 mm.
  • Weight
    3 gr.
  • Rim
    Milled
  • Alloy
    Copper 75%, nickel 25%.
  • Issue date
    February 24, 1980.
  • Cancellation date
    February 28, 1985
  • Designer
    Currency Supply Unit, Bank of Israel.​
  • Reverse
    The denomination "1/2 Sheqel" and the date in Hebrew.
  • Obverse
    Roaring lion; the emblem of the State of Israel; "Israel" in Hebrew, English and Arabic.
  • Diameter
    23 mm.
  • Weight
    5 gr.
  • Rim
    Alternatingly milled and smooth
  • Alloy
    Copper 75%, nickel 25%.
  • Issue date
    January 22, 1981.
  • Cancellation date
    September 4, 1985
  • Designer
    Obverse: Gabi Neumann. Reverse: Zvi Narkiss.​
  • Reverse
    The denomination "1 Sheqel" in Hebrew; the emblem of the State of Israel; "Israel" in Hebrew, English and Arabic; the date in Hebrew.
  • Obverse
    Chalice; "Sheqel Israel" in Hebrew.
  • Diameter
    24 mm.
  • Weight
    6.1 gr.
  • Rim
    Milled
  • Alloy
    Copper 92%, aluminium 6%, nickel 2%.
  • Issue date
    September 10, 1981.
  • Cancellation date
    September 4, 1985
  • Designer
    Obverse: Eliezer Weishoff. Reverse: Nathan Karp.​
  • Reverse
    The denomination "5 Sheqalim" in Hebrew and English between two stars; the date in Hebrew.
  • Obverse
    Double cornucopia with pendant ribbon; the emblem of the State of Israel; "Israel" in Hebrew, English and Arabic.
  • Diameter
    26 mm.
  • Weight
    8 gr.
  • Rim
    Smooth
  • Alloy
    Copper 75%, Nickel 25%.
  • Issue date
    February 25, 1982.
  • Cancellation date
    September 4, 1986
  • Designer
    Gabi Neumann.​
  • Reverse
    The denomination "10 Sheqalim" in Hebrew and English between two stars; the date in Hebrew.
  • Obverse
    Ancient galley; the emblem of the State of Israel; "Israel" in Hebrew, English and Arabic.
  • Diameter
    28 mm.
  • Weight
    9 gr.
  • Rim
    Milled
  • Alloy
    Copper 92%, aluminium 6%, nickel 2%.
  • Issue date
    March 8, 1984
  • Cancellation date
    September 4, 1986
  • Designer
    Obverse: Gabi Neumann. Reverse: Nathan Karp.​
  • Reverse
    The denomination "50 Sheqalim" in Hebrew and English between two stars; the date in Hebrew.
  • Obverse
    Replica 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, English and Arabic.
  • Diameter
    29 mm.
  • Weight
    10.8 gr.
  • Rim
    Slant-structured, wide and deep reeds
  • Alloy
    Copper 75%, nickel 25%.
  • Issue date
    May 2, 1984.
  • Cancellation date
    September 4, 1986
  • Designer
    Obverse: Nathan Karp. Reverse: Gabi Neumann.​
  • Reverse
    The denomination "100 Sheqalim" in Hebrew and English; the date in Hebrew.
  • Obverse
    Replica 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, English and Arabic.
This page was last updated on: 18/07/2024