Israel coins – what if the symbol is fake?

1948 - 1959

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1960 - 1980

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1980 - 1984

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1985 - 2015

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Dates Palm trees, pomegranates, amphora, wheats stalks and etc, the design of Israel coins are extremely repetitive. This is not common, almost a little strange. It must be deliberate. There is a strong message to deliver.

All Israel coins bear ancient images  drawn from ancient images and coins. “It’s a very clear message, that there’s a straight line connecting ancient and contemporary Israel, it’s proof that Jews were here and have a right to be here,” says Estrin, who published the study after working on it for about two and a half years.

This is fine and understandable but the story doesn't stop here. What attracted me to look into modern Israel Coins is the new 1/2 shekel. A 12 stringed lyre is engraved on the reverse side, an  very exquisite instrument.

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The problem is that it is almost certain that this is a forged seal, which portrays an imaginary musical instrument that nobody ever held or played.

How did this seal  “belonging to Maadana, the daughter of the king” became famous and stirred public excitement in 1980s? Why central bank insist not to replace it even though it is a consensus among the scholars this seal is most likely a mordern forgery?

There is a fascinating article from DANIEL ESTRIN, a Jerusalem based journalist.

"What If an Israeli National Symbol Is a Fake? The trouble with Maadana lyre". here

Nonetheless the 1/2 New shekel coins is one my favoutie coins. It is still in circulation, and can be found in the wallets everywhere in israel appearently and very affordable on eBay.