20 Mils


Copper-nickel	11.33 g	30.5 mm

Description

Issuer	British Palestine (Israel)
Period	British Mandate (1920-1948)
Type	Standard circulation coin
Years	1927-1941
Value	20 Mils (0.020)
Currency	Pound (1927-1948)
Composition	Copper-nickel
Weight	11.33 g
Diameter	30.5 mm
Thickness	2.2 mm
Shape	Round with a round hole
Technique	Milled
Orientation	Medal alignment ↑↑
Demonetized	1952
Updated	2024-10-05

References

Numista	N#9789
Rarity index	14%

Reverse

Value in Hebrew, English and Arabic around a central hole

Scripts: Arabic, Hebrew, Latin

Lettering:
20 MILS
מיל
٢٠ مل

Edge

Plain

Comment

The 20 mils coin was issued in bronze as opposed to copper-nickel in 1942 and 1944 during the Second World War so that the nickel could go towards the war effort. Both the 5 mils and 10 mils coins were also issued as bronze coins between the years of 1942 to 1944.

For the Hebrew lettering of Palestine "פלשתינה" on the obverse side of the coin, there is a small acronym after it in brackets "(א"י)", which is shortened for "ארץ ישראל" (Land of Israel), the name used since biblical times to the present by the Jewish People for the geographical area that made up the lands of ancient Judea, the British Mandate of Palestine and later the State of Israel.

Interesting fact

The 20 Mils coin from British Palestine (now Israel) was minted during a time of significant political and social change in the region. The coin was introduced in 1927, just a few years after the British Mandate for Palestine was established, and it remained in circulation until 1941, when the Second World War was underway. During this time, the region was experiencing significant immigration and population growth, as well as growing tensions between Jewish and Arab communities. Despite these challenges, the coin remained a symbol of stability and continuity, and it continues to be a valuable collector's item to this day.