The Lion of Megiddo with its stylized curved tail, taken from an ancient 8th century BCE seal excavated in Megiddo (Armageddon) in the Jordan Valley, that belonged to Shema, servant of King Jeroboam II. Above the lion is the Israel State Emblem and below it, “Israel” in English, Hebrew and Arabic.
Obverse script
Arabic, Hebrew, Latin
Obverse lettering
Reverse description
To the left, stalls, stallholders and shoppers represent the traditional market, to the right, people sitting and talking by a bar table represent the restaurants and bars. Above left in the background is the Tower of David, symbolizing Jerusalem and the unique Jerusalemite atmosphere. Above center is an artistic element symbolizing the sun and crescent moon within it, which represents the bustling life in the market from morning to night. In the upper area is the face value and mint year in Hebrew and English and Star of David mintmark. Around the border is the word “Jerusalem” in English, Hebrew and Arabic with the metal fineness and weight, “1 oz. fine gold .9999” in Hebrew and English.
