First coinage of the State of Israel
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
From 1948
Issuing entity
State of IsraelThe first coinage of the State of Israel encompasses the earliest coins issued by the new state following its independence, beginning with releases in 1949. Struck while the Palestine pound was still circulating before the formal introduction of the Israeli pound in 1952, these coins were the first currency pieces to bear the name of the newly established state.
The initial issue consisted of aluminium 25 mil coins bearing the dates 1948 and 1949. Later in 1949, the coinage system adopted the Hebrew denomination name of the prutah, issuing denominations of 1, 5, 10, 25, 50, 100, and 250 prutah based on ancient Jewish coin motifs. The coins were conceived, in part, by Israeli graphic designer Otte Wallish.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 2
- Photograph views
- 1
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Historical context
Following the end of the British Mandate on 14 May 1948, the Palestine pound continued in circulation in Israel until the Israeli pound was adopted on 9 June 1952. During this interim period, Israel began issuing its own coins, which formed part of the Palestine pound system. Drawing explicitly on ancient Judaean coinage for their designs, these issues moved from the Mandate's mil denomination to the Hebrew prutah, which divided the pound into 1,000 units until the division was replaced by the agora in 1960.
Identification
- Recognition pointers (from background sources)
- Look for the initial aluminium 25 mil denomination bearing the dates 1948 or 1949. Identify denominations expressed in prutah (1, 5, 10, 25, 50, 100, and 250 prutah) issued beginning later in 1949. Observe design motifs based on ancient Jewish coins, conceived in part by graphic designer Otte Wallish. Verify the presence of the state's name, marking the first coins to carry the name of the State of Israel.
Documentation checklist
- Denomination
- Research required
- Issue or mint date
- Recorded
- Material
- Research required
- Weight
- Research required
- Mint or printer
- Research required
- Mint or printer mark
- Research required
- Catalogue reference
- Research required
- Attached photograph (check rights)
- Recorded
Recorded means a field is present, not independently verified. Read its wording, supporting source and the entry’s confidence level.
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.
Research required
- Denominations, metals and the precise sequence of issues need verification from a standard catalogue