2 New Sheqalim Independence - Birds of Israel

Reverse

The top three birds in "National Bird of Israel" competition: The winning Hoopoe and the two runner-ups, the Warbler and the Finch; the words "Birds of Israel" are inscribed along the border in Hebrew, English and Arabic.

Scripts: Arabic, Hebrew, Latin

Lettering: BIRDS OF ISRAEL ציפורי ישראל طيور إسرائيل

Engravers: Igal Gabay, Tidhar Dagan

Edge

Reeded

Comment

Israel is a paradise for birds and ornithologists all year long. Situated in a unique geographic location – at the junction of three continents, between the Syrian-African Rift and the shores of the Mediterranean Sea, offers a rare combination of conditions for migrating birds, internationally unsurpassed. Twice a year, more than 500 million birds migrate across the skies of Israel, enhancing the country's landscape with their spectacular, multi-colored beauty. The Hoopoe was chosen as Israel's National Bird following the nationwide campaign conducted by the Society for the Protection of Nature and the Tel Aviv University. Numerous references are made in the Jewish Scriptures to the Hoopoe, one of them, " . . . the stork and the heron, after its kinds, and the hoopoe . . ." (Leviticus 11:19) The Hoopoe is also cited as a sign of wisdom.

According to legend, King Solomon wanted to build the Temple (the building that would bring peace to the world) without using instruments made of iron (that denote tools of war) to grind the stones. The Hoopoe disclosed the secret of the Shamir Worm (that had been hidden in its throat), that was capable of grinding stone without using an axe (similar to the modern use of laser rays).

Interesting fact

Price

Date	Mintage	VG	F	VF	XF	AU	UNC
5769 (2009) מ	2800	-	-	-	-	-	-

Values in the table are based on evaluations by sales realized on Internet platforms. They serve as an indication only for 2 New Sheqalim (Independence - Birds of Israel) 5769 (2009) coin.