2 New Sheqalim (Independence - Centennial of the First Zionist Congress) 5757 (1997) front 2 New Sheqalim (Independence - Centennial of the First Zionist Congress) 5757 (1997) back
2 New Sheqalim (Independence - Centennial of the First Zionist Congress) 5757 (1997) photo
© G.IG.

2 New Sheqalim Independence - Centennial of the First Zionist Congress

5757 (1997) year
Silver (.925) 28.8 g 38.7 mm
Description
Issuer
Israel
Period
State of Israel (1948-date)
Type
Non-circulating coin
Year
5757 (1997)
Calendar
Hebrew
Value
2 New Sheqalim 2 ILS = USD 0.52
Currency
New Shekel (1986-date)
Composition
Silver (.925)
Weight
28.8 g
Diameter
38.7 mm
Shape
Round
Technique
Milled
Orientation
Medal alignment ↑↑
Updated
2024-10-05
References
Numista
N#84410
Rarity index
83%

Reverse

Image of Herzl deep in thought, leaning over the balcony railing of his room in Basel, in the left-hand border, the words: "If you will it, it is not a dream".

Script: Hebrew

Lettering: אם תרצו אין זו אגדה

Translation: If you will it, it is not a dream.

Engravers: Gideon Keich, Tidhar Dagan

Edge

Milled

Comment

Initiated by Theodor Herzl, the first Zionist Congress was held on August 29, 1897 in Basel, Switzerland. This event was destined to change the course of history for the Jewish People.

Having witnessed the Dreyfus Case and being deeply perturbed by the plight of the Jewish People in face of the growing anti-Semitism aroung the world, Theodor Herzl took it upon himself to find a solution for the Jewish People.

Herzl's plans were written in his book "Der Judenstaat", which was published in 1896 in Vienna. Based on this, the First Zionist Congress adopted "The Basel Program". Chaired by Theodor Herzl, visionary of the Jewish State, the Zionist platform was formulated stating that "Zionism seeks to establish a homeland for the Jewish people in the Land of Israel secured under public law." Herzl wrote in his diary: "At Basel I founded the Jewish State. If I were to say this out loud today I would be greeted by universal laughter. In five years perhaps, and certainly in fifty years, everyone will perceive it."

Fifty years later, on November 29, 1947, the United Nations voted to approve the partition of Palestine and the establishment of a Jewish State – the State of Israel. The Israel 49th Independence Day Coin issued in 1997commemorates the vision that became reality, as well as the exceptional event that changed the history of the Jewish People.

Interesting fact

The 2 New Sheqalim coin (Independence - Centennial of the First Zionist Congress) 5757 (1997) from Israel features a unique design that symbolizes the connection between the past and the present. The obverse side of the coin depicts a stylized image of the First Zionist Congress, which took place in 1897, while the reverse side features a stylized image of the State of Israel's declaration of independence, which was signed in 1948. This design represents the 100-year journey from the establishment of the Zionist movement to the establishment of the State of Israel.

Price

Date Mintage VG F VF XF AU UNC
5757 (1997) מ 4281 - - - - - -

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 - Centennial of the First Zionist Congress) 5757 (1997) coin.