KM# 380 – Mintage only 1 446

Commemorative issue

Independence Day, 56th Anniversary: Children in Israel

Obverse

Face value in Hebrew and English, Israel State Emblem, “Israel” in English, Hebrew and Arabic, inscription “INDEPENDENCE DAY 2004” in Hebrew and English, a row of decorative motifs across the coin, symbolizing children filled with joy and laughter, the mint year.

Scripts: Arabic, Hebrew, Latin

Lettering:

יום

העצמאות

התשס”ד

INDEPENDENCE

DAY

2004

ישראל

ISRAEL

إسرائيل

שקל חדש

NEW

SHEQEL

1

Engravers: Aharon Shevo, Tidhar Dagan

Reverse

Images of a father and child with equal eye level, together holding a balloon decorated with a Star of David, inscription “THE CHILDREN IN ISRAEL” in Hebrew, English and Arabic.

Scripts: Arabic, Hebrew, Latin

Lettering:

THE

הילדים

CHILDREN

בישראל

IN ISRAEL

الأولاد في إسرائيل

Engravers: Aharon Shevo, Tidhar Dagan

Edge

Plain

Mint

✡ Royal Dutch Mint (Koninklijke Nederlandse Munt), Utrecht, Netherlands (1010-date)

Comments

The issuance of the Independence Day Coin in 2004 coincided with the 15th Anniversary of the International Convention on the Rights of the Child and 25th Anniversary of the International Year of the Child. The central importance and rights of children are an essential part of Jewish heritage, in which children are viewed as a blessing and a joy. In Jewish culture and within Israeli society, children are not a means for achieving for a goal, rather they are the goal. Today’s children are tomorrow’s citizens – the future of Israel. The coin reverse depicts images of a father and son, with eyes on the same level, denoting a child as an independent personality, deserving attention, love and nurturing care.

(RC 37)