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The Third coin in the Series The Bible abounds with stories about Miriam, Moses and Aaron's eldest sister. We learn about her heroism and her compassion, as well as her great intellectual knowledge and leadership abilities. The book of Exodus, describing the Exodus from Egypt, offers a depictive description: "And Miriam, the Prophetess, Aaron's sister, took the drum in her hand and all the women followed her with drums and dance" (Exodus 15:20). While others were complaining about the desert conditions, Miriam was giving thanks for the great and miraculous Redemption that had just occurred after the parting of the Red Sea. The drawing chosen to represent the third coin in the "Biblical Art" Series, issued by the Bank of Israel, was chosen from "The Golden Haggadah" printed in Barcelona circa the year 1320. The pictures in this Haggadah, among the earliest and most spectacular of the Sephardic Haggadahs, portray the events and characters beginning with Adam in the Book of Genesis and ending with Miriam's song in the Book of Exodus.
Coin Description Front Miriam with the drum in hand leading the women in song and dance. Reverse The denomination "1, 2 or 10" with "New Sheqel" or "New Sheqalim". At the left, a symbol from the "Golden Haggadah" with the State emblem. "Israel" in Hebrew, English and Arabic. The year of issue 5757/1996 and the inscription, "Miriam and the Women, Golden Haggadah, Barcelona C. 1320" in Hebrew and English. The Proof-like silver coin is mintmarked with a 6 pointed star at the bottom. The proof coins are mintmarked with a Hebrew 'mem'. NIS-New Israel Sheqalim
Actual gold weight: 1/2 oz. encapsulated and housed in a custom display case from the Bank of Israel
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