Catalog
| Issuer | British Palestine |
|---|---|
| Year | 1927-1947 |
| Type | Standard circulation coin |
| Value | 2 Mils (0.002) |
| Currency | Pound (1927-1948) |
| Composition | Bronze (95.5% Copper, 3% Tin, 1.5% Zinc) |
| Weight | 7.8 g |
| Diameter | 28 mm |
| Thickness | 1.6 mm |
| Shape | Round |
| Technique | Milled |
| Orientation | Medal alignment ↑↑ |
| Engraver(s) | |
| In circulation to | 1952 |
| Reference(s) | KM#2, Schön#2, Aharoni#2 |
| Obverse description | Palestine in Arabic, English and Hebrew with date below |
|---|---|
| Obverse script | Arabic, Hebrew, Latin |
| Obverse lettering | فلسطين PALESTINE (פלשתינה (א`י 1945 ١٩٤٥ |
| Reverse description | Value in Hebrew, English and Arabic divided by an olive tree branch |
| Reverse script | Arabic, Hebrew, Latin |
| Reverse lettering | מילים · TWO MILS · ملان 2 ٢ |
| Edge | Smooth |
| Mint | |
| Mintage |
1927 - - 5 000 000 1927 - Proof - 68 1941 - - 1 600 000 1941 - Proof - 1942 - - 2 400 000 1945 - - 960 000 1946 - - 960 000 1947 - Melted down, 1 known issue - 480 000 |
| Numisquare ID | 4621929200 |
| Additional information |
Historical Context: The 2 Mils coin, issued by British Palestine (1927-1947), reflects the British Mandate era. Following World War I, Britain administered Palestine under a League of Nations mandate. This coinage established a unified monetary system for the diverse Arab, Jewish, and British populations, crucial for regional commerce. Its distinctive trilingual legends (English, Arabic, Hebrew) explicitly underscore this attempt at cultural and economic integration.
Artistry: The coin's design exemplifies the functional elegance of British colonial coinage from the Royal Mint, influenced by George Kruger Gray. The obverse features the St. Edward's Crown, symbolizing British authority, with the date and "PALESTINE" in English, Arabic, and Hebrew. The reverse prominently displays the "2 MILS" denomination in the same three languages, encircled by a classic olive wreath, a universal symbol of peace, rendered with clear lines.
Technical/Grading: Struck in bronze (95.5% Copper, 3% Tin, 1.5% Zinc), weighing 7.8 grams and 28 millimeters, the 2 Mils is a substantial coin. Key high-points for grading include the intricate details of the St. Edward's Crown on the obverse, especially the cross and orb, and the definition of the leaves within the olive wreath on the reverse. Well-struck examples show sharp separation of the trilingual text and a full, even strike, though bronze is prone to surface wear and toning.