The second coin in the new "WORLD HERITAGE SITES IN ISRAEL" series features Masada - The mountain top fortress built by King Herod near the shore of the Dead Sea.
In the First Revolt against the Romans, a group of rebels led by Elazar ben Yair overcame the Roman garrison and occupied Masada. For three years the rebels held out against the enemy. In the year 73, the Romans retook the fortress. When all hope was lost the Jews set fire to Masada and chose to take their own lives. Ben Yair spoke to his followers, "Let us die before we become the slaves of our enemies. We leave the world of the living as free men".
Masada became a symbol of the love of freedom and the desire to preserve it. "Masada shall not fall again".
Coin Description
Front
The site of the ancient palaces and fortress. The UNESCO symbol at the left. The inscription, "Masada" in Hebrew, Arabic and English.
Reverse
The denomination "1, 2 or 10" with the year of issue "5769/2009" and the word "Israel" in Hebrew, English and Arabic. The State Emblem at the top. "New Sheqel" or "New Sheqalim" below the denomination. The Proof coins mintmarked with a Hebrew 'mem' at the bottom left. The Proof-like coins with a six pointed 'Star of David'.
NIS-New Israel Sheqalim
