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500 Pruta
| Issuer | Bank of Israel |
|---|---|
| Year | 1949 |
| Type | Non-circulating coin |
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| Obverse description | Central motif comprises a stylized branch bearing three pomegranates in a design directly inspired by coinage of the First Jewish–Roman War (66–70 CE). The pomegranates are rendered in a schematic, archaic style evoking ancient Judaean numismatic art. The Hebrew legend 'ישראל' (Israel) appears above the central device, while the Arabic legend 'اسرائيل' (Israel) is inscribed below, both within a plain field bordered by a beaded rim. |
|---|---|
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| Reverse lettering | 500 פרוטה תש״ט (Translation: 500 pruta 5709 (1949)) |
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| Additional information |
Israel's first coinage series, issued in 1949, was struck at the Utrecht mint in the Netherlands — the fledgling state had no mint of its own and no time to build one. The 500 Pruta was the largest denomination in that inaugural set, and its .500 fine silver content reflected a compromise between symbolic weight and the economic realities of a government still fighting for its survival during the War of Independence.
Mintage was relatively low, and the piece saw little genuine circulation — most were absorbed by collectors and diaspora communities almost immediately upon release.