5 New Sheqalim Nightingale and Fig

Reverse

A nightingale perched on a branch, biblical inscription "The time of the singing of birds" (Song of Songs 2:12) around the left-hand border in English and above, right, in Hebrew and the mint year.

Scripts: Hebrew, Latin

Designer: Yaacov Enyedi

Edge

Milled

Comment

The Song of Songs is perhaps the most sublime love poem ever written. Attributed to King Solomon, the Song of Songs is regarded as a conversation between the People of Israel and God, and an expression of God's deep and eternal love for Israel. For some the songs are viewed simply and compassionately as an expression of innocent, pastoral love. All are enthralled by their beauty and the expressions of deep love for the landscape, springtime, nature and the flora of the Land of Israel.

"Behold the autumn has passed, the rain has gone, blossoms are seen in the Land, the time of the nightingale has come, the voice of the turtledove is heard; the fig has formed its first fruit; the vines in blossom give forth fragrance", Song of Songs 2:11-13. These verses describe springtime in the Land of Israel. The rains have ended, the trees are in blossom and the nightingale has come. Israel is located on the migratory route between Europe and Africa, of so many birds, including the nightingale and the sweet sound of the birds can be heard from within the shrubbery.

The first fruit mentioned in the Bible, the fig is one of the seven species of plants with which the Land of Israel is blessed.

Interesting fact

Price

Date	Mintage	VG	F	VF	XF	AU	UNC
5757 (1997) מ	805	-	-	-	-	-	-

Values in the table are based on evaluations by sales realized on Internet platforms. They serve as an indication only for 5 New Sheqalim (Nightingale and Fig) 5757 (1997) coin.