4551) "Old Nazareth", Israel: Sixth Coin in the "Holy Land Numismatic Bullion Coin Series: Israel Coins and Medals Corpn. (ICMC) has issued Gold and Silver Billion Coins in the popular Series: Year of Coins issue: 2026:
Holy Land Sites Numismatic Bullion Coin Series:
Sixth in the "Ancient Cities of the Holy Land" numismatic bullion series - Old Nazareth:
Nazareth, located in the Lower Galilee, is one of the most ancient and important cities in the Land of Israel.
It has a rich history and holds international religious significance. The city is home to numerous historical and religious sites, alongside a market and an old city core that combines long-standing tradition with contemporary life.
Throughout history, Nazareth has served as a meeting point of cultures, religions, and beliefs - a city of coexistence, commerce, and history.
Today, it is the largest Arab city in Israel and an important center of tourism, culture, and economy. Its markets, traditional architecture, churches, and historic buildings reflect the combination of past and present and attract many visitors each year.
Nazareth, often called “Jesus’s hometown,” was a small
Galilean village in the early 1st century CE, later becoming a major Christian
pilgrimage site with iconic churches like the Basilica of the Annunciation.
Presently, it is a vibrant city in northern Israel with a diverse population and
rich historical layers.
Historical Background:
Early References: Nazareth is not mentioned in the Hebrew
Bible or rabbinic texts; its first reference appears in the New Testament (John
1).
At the Time of Jesus: Archaeological evidence shows
Nazareth was a tiny village of perhaps a few hundred people, overshadowed by
nearby Sepphoris, a wealthy city. Excavations reveal simple houses, courtyards,
and underground hiding places used by anti-Roman rebels.
Roman & Byzantine Periods: By the 4th century CE,
Emperor Constantine authorised churches in Nazareth. Pilgrims visited sites
linked to Mary, Joseph, and Jesus’s childhood.
Religious Significance:
Church of the Annunciation: Built on the site where
tradition holds the angel Gabriel announced to Mary that she would bear Jesus.
The current basilica (1960s) incorporates remains of earlier Byzantine and
Crusader churches.
Other Holy Sites:
Synagogue-Church: Believed to be where Jesus preached
(Luke 4).
Church of Joseph: Traditionally Joseph’s carpentry shop.
Mensa Christi Church: Where Jesus is said to have dined
with his disciples after the Resurrection.
Medieval & Ottoman Era:
Crusades: Nazareth was a contested site; Tancred made it
his capital in 1099.
Ottoman Rule: Christians were expelled in the 16th
century but later allowed back under Emir Fakhr ad-Dīn II (1590–1635).
Modern Nazareth:
Population: Today, Nazareth has nearly 80,000 residents,
about 70% Muslim and 30% Christian. The adjacent city of Nof HaGalil is
predominantly Jewish.
Culture: Known for its coexistence and tolerance—Muslim
and Christian communities celebrate each other’s festivals, and Jewish families
often visit for dining and shopping.
Tourism: Pilgrims and tourists flock to its churches,
archaeological sites, and bustling markets.
Nazareth is the largest city in the Northern District
of Israel.
More on Nazareth:
Known as "the Arab
capital of Israel", Nazareth serves as a cultural, political,
religious, economic and commercial center for the Arab citizens of Israel.
The city also commands immense religious significance,
deriving from its status as the hometown of Jesus, the central figure of
Christianity and a prophet in Islam and the Baháʼí Faith.
Findings unearthed in the neighbouring Qafzeh Cave show
that the area around Nazareth was populated in the prehistoric period.
Nazareth
was a Jewish village during the Roman and Byzantine periods and is described
in the New Testament as the childhood home of Jesus.
It became an important
city during the Crusades after Tancred established it as the capital of the
Principality of Galilee.
The city declined under Mamluk rule, and following the
Ottoman conquest, the city's Christian residents were expelled, only to return
once Fakhr ad-Dīn II granted them permission to do so.
In the 18th century,
Daher al-Umar transformed Nazareth into a large town by encouraging immigration
to it.
The city grew steadily during the late 19th and early 20th centuries,
when European powers invested in the construction of churches, monasteries,
educational and health facilities.
Since late antiquity, Nazareth has been a centre of Christian pilgrimage, with many shrines commemorating biblical events.
The
Church of the Annunciation is considered one of the largest Christian sites of
worship in the Middle East. It contains the Grotto of the Annunciation, where,
according to Catholic tradition, angel Gabriel appeared to Mary and announced
that she would conceive and bear Jesus.
The Coins:
Old Nazareth Bullion Coin Specifications:
Gold Coin (ICMC) – Ancient Cities of the Holy Land Coin Series)
Issuing Year: 2026
Material: Gold
Fineness: 9999 (24K)
Weight: 1 oz (31.1 g)
Diameter/Size: 32.00 mm
Quality: Prooflike
Design: "Relief of the Church of the Annunciation in Nazareth, with Galilee hills in the background."
Designer: Meir Eshel
Max Mintage: 199 pieces (extremely limited)
Silver Medals/Coins (ICMC Nazareth Issues)
Metal Composition: .999 Fineness Silver (Ag)
Weight: 26.00 g
Diameter/Size: 38.7 mm
Type: State Medal – Nazareth (commemorative)
Design Theme: Nazareth’s historical and religious sites,
issued as part of Israel’s commemorative medal programme
"Jerusalem of Gold - Gold Bullion Coin Series:
"Views of Jerusalem" Gold and Silver Bullion Coin Series:
"Lion of Judah" Gold Bar Series:
1) "Lion of Judah Gold Bar series", Israel: A Gold Bar minted by the (Holy Land Mint) - Israel Coins and Medals Corpn (ICMC): Year of Gold Bar issue: 2025
"Human Cats" Silver Bar Series:
Other interesting posts from Israel:
Holy Land Sites Numismatic Bullion Coin Series:
Biblical Art Commemorative Coin Series:
Israel Independence Day - "Endangered Animals in Israel" Coin Series:
Links to more posts from ICMC, Israel:
"Gates of Jerusalem Coin Series":
Birds of Israel Coin Series:
"Ancient Cities of the Holy Land Gold and Silver Bullion Coin Series":
New Dutch Design Stamp Series posts on this blog:
For interesting posts from the Caribbean Netherlands on "Experience Nature":
1) Experience Nature - Birds on Bonaire: "Experience Nature 2024-2026 Perennial Stamp Series": A set of Stamps issued by PostNL (Netherlands Post) featuring the Flora and Fauna found in this part of the Netherlands: Date of Stamp issue: 02.01.2024
2) Experience Nature - "Butterflies" on Bonaire: "Experience Nature 2024-2026 Perennial Stamp Series": A set of Stamps issued by PostNL (Netherlands Post) featuring the Flora and Fauna found in this part of the Netherlands: Date of Stamp Set issue: 12.02.2024
3) Experience Nature - Stamp Series Sint Eustastius:: "Underwater Life": A set of ten Postage stamps brought out by PostNL (Netherlands Post): Date/Year of Stamp sheet issue: 09.06.2025
4) Experience Nature - Flora Sint Eustatius: Experience Nature 2024-2026 Perennial Stamp series": A set of Stamps issued by PostNL (Netherlands Post) featuring the Flora of Sint Eustatius - Trees and Plants: Date/Year of Stamp Sheet issue: 10.08.2025
5) Experience Nature - Butterflies on Saba: "Experience Nature 2024-2026 Perennial Stamp series": A set of Stamps issued by PostNL (Netherlands Post) featuring the Flora and Fauna found in this part of the Caribbean Netherlands: Date/Year of Stamp Sheet issue: 30.03.2026
For interesting posts from the Caribbean Netherlands on this blog:
5) The Farewell NAF, Netherlands Antilles: A 5 Guilder commemorative coin minted by the Royal Dutch Mint (RDM) to mark the end of the Netherlands Antillean Guilder (NAF) and its replacement by the Caribbean Guilder: Year of Coins issue: 2025
Links:
For interesting posts from the Caribbean Netherlands on this blog:
5) The Farewell NAF, Netherlands Antilles: A 5 Guilder commemorative coin minted by the Royal Dutch Mint (RDM) to mark the end of the Netherlands Antillean Guilder (NAF) and its replacement by the Caribbean Guilder: Year of Coins issue: 2025
Tulips, Netherlands:
New Dutch Design Stamp Series:
70 Years of Miffy:
Dutch City Gates Coin Series:
On Safari in the Netherlands:
750 Years of Amsterdam:
Prehistoric Animals Stamp Series, Netherlands (PostNL):
Dutch Castles Coin Series:
10) Poptaslot Castle, The Netherlands: The Tenth and second last Coin to be released in the "Dutch Castles Coin Series": A Silver Ducat Trade Coin with a history spanning over 350 years, minted by the Royal Dutch Mint (RDM): Year of Coin issue: 2023
11) Kuinderburcht Bridge, The Netherlands: The Eleventh and last Coin to be released in the "Dutch Castles Coin Series": A Silver Ducat Trade Coin with a history spanning over 350 years, minted by the Royal Dutch Mint: Year of Coin issue: 2023
For other interesting posts on issues from the Royal Dutch Mint, Netherlands and PostNL, please visit the following links:
10) First Atlases, Netherlands: Commemorating 450 Years of the first Atlas (1570-2020) & others: A Stamp Sheet of six stamps depicting the Atlases which were compiled in the Netherlands in the 16th & 17th Centuries AD: Stamp Set issued by POstNL: Date of Stamp Set issue: 23.03.2020
34) "UN Crypto Stamps", United Nations: "New Technologies for the United Nations Stamp Series": Series II of United Nations Crypto Stamps issued by the United Nations Postal Administration (UNPA) which run on Blockchain Technolgy: Date of Stamps issue:18.11.2022
35) 2022 NL Crypto Stamp - Duo Set Crypto The Netherlands (NL) + Oostenrijk (Austria) - Collectibles: Date of Joint Crypto Stamp issue: 22.09.2022
36) Tarzan of the Apes, Netherlands: A Medal/Coin issued by the Royal Dutch Mint (RDM) depicting the popular fictional legend of Tarzan of the Apes: Date/Year of Coin/Medal issued: 2022
37) "EpilepsieNL" (Epilepsy), Netherlands: 130th Annversary milestone (1893-2023): Two Coins/Medals in Coincard issued by the Royal Dutch Mint (RDM): Year of Coins issue: 2023
38) Sesame Street, Netherlands: 45 Years of Sesame Street Milestone (1968-2023): The Royal Dutch MInt has released the complete collection of Sesame Street Muppets: Date/Year of Coins issue: 2023
39) Holland America Lines, Netherlands: 150th Anniversary milestone (1873-2023): PostNL (Netherlands Post) has issued a 24-carat Gold Stamp with the denomination of "1" (for items weighing upto 20g for domestic/inland post): Date of Stamp issue: 18.04.2023
40) "The Compliment", Netherlands: "Dutch Design Stamp Series": PostNL (Netherlands Post) has issued the Fifth Stamp Sheet, all stamps marked "International 1": Date of Stamp Sheet issued: 23.10.2023
41) Molly the Cat, Netherlands: PostNL (Netherlands Post) has issued a stamp sheet of five personal stamps of "Nederland 1" value featuring Molly the Cat: Date of Stamp set issue: 12.02.2024
42) Keukenhof's Flower Show Exhibition, Netherlands:"75th Annioversary milestone (1949-2024):PostNL (Netherlands Post) has brought out a six Stamp Sheet which feature the following spring flowers 0 the Iris, Daffodil sand Tulip of "Internationaal 1" value each: Date of Sheet issue: 01.03.2024
43) "Shaping the Future Together", Netherlands: PostNL (Netherlands Post) held in Noordwijk from 30.09.2024 to 06.10.2024: PostNL has issued a Stamp sheet: Date of Stamp sheet issued: 30.09.2024
44) The first flight between Amsterdam and Batavia, Netherlands:100th Anniversary (1924-2924): A one Euro Coin in a CoinCard features the flight in a Fokker F.VII with three crew members on 01.10.1924: Date of CoinCard issue: 01.10.2024
45) 80 Years of Suske and Wiske Medal Collec tion, Netherlands: The Royal Dutch Mint (RDM) has issued a set of 12 Medals featuring populat characters from the Belgian Comic Magazine: Date/Year of Medals issue: 03/2025
46) Discovery Channel (now Discovery+ on HBO Max) is 40 Years old: A special Coin in a Coincard minted by the Royal Dutch Mint (RDM) celebrates the milestone: Date/Year of Coincard issue: 2025
47) "25 Years of opening up Marriage to" (25 JAAR OPENSTELLING VAN HET HUWELIJK VOOR" - in Dutch), The Netherlands: Date/Year of Coin issue: 01.04.2026
Intangible Cultural Heritage, Netherlands:
1) Intangible Cultural Heritage, Netherlands: PostNL (Netherlands Post) has issued a set of 15 postage stamps featuring different forms of Intangible Cultural Heritage in the country: Date/Year of Stamps issue: 16.09.2024
Links to Posts on Pieter Mondriaan (or "Piet Mondrian"):
Experience Nature Stamp Series:
Typically Dutch Postage Stamp Series "House Types & facades":
Typically Dutch Coin Series -2023:
Typically Dutch Postage stamp Series - 2024:
Dutch World Heritage Series:
1) Willemstad, Curacao: 25 Years of UNESCO World Heritage Site: Cpost International (Curacao Post) has issued a set of 16 postage stamps celebrating the milestone: Date of Stamps set issue: 18.08.2022
2) Willemstad, (Dutch, Caribbean Island, Curacao), Netherlands: "Dutch World Heritage Coin Series": Tenth Coin in the Series of 10 Euro (Gold) and 5 Euro (Silver) Collector Coins minted by the Royal Dutch Mint (RDM) feature this historic city: Date/Year of Coins issue: 02.02.2023
Links to Posts on Pieter Mondriaan (or "Piet Mondrian"):
Links:
For other interesting posts from Belgium:
23) Universal Declaration of Human Rights (United Nations), Belgium: Bpost (Belgian Post) has issued a Stamp Sheetlet which showcases a fingerprint in which a face is hidden as a symbolic representation of the theme - "identity": Date of Stamps issue: 20.03.2023
24) Asteroid Day (or "International Asteroid Day), Luxembourg: POST Luxembourg (formerly known as Entreprise des Postes et Telecommunications) has issued a postage stamp of L50g (the rate for a standard letter domestic postage): Date of Stamp issue: 16.05.2023
25) SABENA (National Airline Carries), Belgium: Centenary Celebrations - 1923-2023): The Royal Dutch Mint (RDM) in association with the Royal Belgian Mint (RBM) has minted a 20 Euro Silver Crown Coin which marks the centenary of the founding of the country's first airline carrier: Date/Year of Coin issue: 2023
26) 130th Anniversary of the Art Nouveau Movement, Belgium: 130th Anniversary Celebrations (1893-2023): Commemorative 2 Euro Coins minted by the Royal Dutch Mint (RDM) at their facilities in Houten, Netherlands, in association with the Royal Belgian Mint (RBM) celebrating the milestone: Date/Year of Coin issue: 2023
27) Hanseatic Cities in Belgium: The Royal Dutch Mint (Koninklijke Nederlandse Munt), Utrecht, Netherlands has issued a 10 Euro Silver Coin on behalf of Belgium depicting Hanseatic Cities and Trading activities in the country: Date/Year of Coi issue: 2023
28) Glass Art, Belgium: Bpost (Belgian Post) has issued a postage stamp featuring national and international artists working in a variety of styles: Date of Stamp issue: 22.01.2024
29) Keukenhof's Flower Exhibition, Netherlands: "75th Anniversary milestone (1949-2024)" PostNL (Netherlands Post) has brought out a six Stamp Sheet which feature the following spring flowers - the Iris, Daffodil and Tulip of "Internationaal 1" value each: Date of Stam p Shdeet issue: 01.03.2024
30) 100 Years of Surrealism in Belgium: Date of Stamp issue: 26.08.2024
31) 25th Wedding Anniversary of King Phillippe and Queen Matilda, Belgium: A 12-1/2 Euro Gold Coin issued by the Royal Dutch Mint (RDM) at their facilities in Houten, Netherlands under license from the Royal Belgian Mint: Date/Yea5r of Coin issue: 16.10.2024
32) Belgium 1 cent 1887-1907 in Coincard NL: Coin first issued under King Leopold II: Date/Year of Coin issue: 2025
33) "Street Art in Belgium", Belgium: A 2.5 Euro, Brilliant Uncirculated (BU) Coin in a Coincard Netherlands (NL) highlights Dtreet art: Date/Year of Coin issue: 2025
34) Belgium 2 Euro Coin 2025 "Spa Francorchamps circuit" BU in Coincard NL, (minted by the Royal Dutch Mint - RDM): Date of Coin issue: end July 2025
35) "Elvis Pompilio - Hats Off", Belgium: Bpost (Belgium Post) has issued a Sheetlet of six Postage stamps featuring Top Hats, Caps etc: Date/Year of stamp issue: 26.01.2026
36) "100 Years of the Belgian Railways", Belgium: Bpost (Belgian Post) has issued a set of five Postage Stamps featuring Railway Engines over the evolution of Railways from steam Engines to Electric Engines: Date?Year of Stamp set issue: 26.01.2026
37) "Belga", Bullion Gold Coins, Belgium: 300 & 75 Euro Gold Bullion Inverstment Trade Coins have been minted by the Royal Dutch Mint (RDM), Netherlands under license of the Royal Belgian Mint (RBM): Date/Year of Bullion Coins issue: 25.03.2026
Some other interesting posts from the African Continent on this blog:
Posts from the Republic of South Africa:
Links to posts on Zaire/Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC):
Posts from Republic of Chad:
Links (Contd)
Posts from the Republic of Djibouti:
Links to posts on Paraguay:
1) The 66th Annual Meeting of the Board of Governors of the Inter-American Development Bank Summit (IDB) and the 40th Annual Meeting of the Board of Governors of IDBI Invest (IDBI) held in the city of Luque - Greater Asuncion, Paraguay (11-14.03.2026): A 1 (One) Guarani Silver Proof and Colour Coin issued by the Banco Central del Paraguay: Date/Year of Coin issue: 13.03.2026
Links to posts on Ecuador on this blog:
1) FIFA's World Cup Tournament, Ecuador's National Team, Ecuador: The Banc Central Del Ecuador has issued One Sucre Silver and Colour Proof Coins featuring the National Football team and FIFA 2022: Date of Coin issue: 17.11.2022
2) "Bicentenary of Independence", Ecuador: The Anniversary is celebrated on One Sucre Silver Colour and Proof Coins minted by the Fabrica Nacional de Moneda y Timbrte - Real Casa de la Moneda (The Spanish Mint) at their facilities in Madrid on behalf of the Banco Central Del Ecuador: Date/Year of Coin issue: 09.10.2025
Posts from the Republic of South Africa:
2) Namibia has introduced upgraded Banknotes and Brand New Coinage with the theme of "Our Currency, Our Heritage, Our pride - Meet the Next Generation of the Namibian Dollar": New Look, Same Value: 2025
For other interesting posts:
23) Universal Declaration of Human Rights (United Nations), Belgium: Bpost (Belgian Post) has issued a Stamp Sheetlet which showcases a fingerprint in which a face is hidden as a symbolic representation of the theme - "identity": Date of Stamps issue: 20.03.2023
24) Asteroid Day (or "International Asteroid Day), Luxembourg: POST Luxembourg (formerly known as Entreprise des Postes et Telecommunications) has issued a postage stamp of L50g (the rate for a standard letter domestic postage): Date of Stamp issue: 16.05.2023
25) SABENA (National Airline Carries), Belgium: Centenary Celebrations - 1923-2023): The Royal Dutch Mint (RDM) in association with the Royal Belgian Mint (RBM) has minted a 20 Euro Silver Crown Coin which marks the centenary of the founding of the country's first airline carrier: Date/Year of Coin issue: 2023
26) 130th Anniversary of the Art Nouveau Movement, Belgium: 130th Anniversary Celebrations (1893-2023): Commemorative 2 Euro Coins minted by the Royal Dutch Mint (RDM) at their facilities in Houten, Netherlands, in association with the Royal Belgian Mint (RBM) celebrating the milestone: Date/Year of Coin issue: 2023
27) Hanseatic Cities in Belgium: The Royal Dutch Mint (Koninklijke Nederlandse Munt), Utrecht, Netherlands has issued a 10 Euro Silver Coin on behalf of Belgium depicting Hanseatic Cities and Trading activities in the country: Date/Year of Coi issue: 2023
28) Glass Art, Belgium: Bpost (Belgian Post) has issued a postage stamp featuring national and international artists working in a variety of styles: Date of Stamp issue: 22.01.2024
29) Keukenhof's Flower Exhibition, Netherlands: "75th Anniversary milestone (1949-2024)" PostNL (Netherlands Post) has brought out a six Stamp Sheet which feature the following spring flowers - the Iris, Daffodil and Tulip of "Internationaal 1" value each: Date of Stam p Shdeet issue: 01.03.2024
30) 100 Years of Surrealism in Belgium: Date of Stamp issue: 26.08.2024
31) 25th Wedding Anniversary of King Phillippe and Queen Matilda, Belgium: A 12-1/2 Euro Gold Coin issued by the Royal Dutch Mint (RDM) at their facilities in Houten, Netherlands under license from the Royal Belgian Mint: Date/Yea5r of Coin issue: 16.10.2024
32) Belgium 1 cent 1887-1907 in Coincard NL: Coin first issued under King Leopold II: Date/Year of Coin issue: 2025
33) "Street Art in Belgium", Belgium: A 2.5 Euro, Brilliant Uncirculated (BU) Coin in a Coincard Netherlands (NL) highlights Dtreet art: Date/Year of Coin issue: 2025
34) Belgium 2 Euro Coin 2025 "Spa Francorchamps circuit" BU in Coincard NL, (minted by the Royal Dutch Mint - RDM): Date of Coin issue: end July 2025
Links to other Posts on Aland issues:
Some other interesting Posts from Denmark, Finland, Norway, Greenland, Aland, Faroe Islands & Nordic Countries:
For other interesting posts from the Faroe Islands:
8) "Organic Art", Faroe Islands: Posta/Postverk Foroya (Postal Works of the Faroes Islands) has issued a set of six stamps of 29.00 DKK (x 3 Stamps) and 19.00 DKK (x 3 Stamps) depicting Organic art by three artists in the Faroes: Date of Stamp set issue: 16.05.2022
9) Faroese Minerals, Faroe Islands: Posta (Faroe Islands Post) has issued a Miniature Sheet (MS) of stamps depicting Calcite and Copper: Date of Stamps issue: 24.10.2022
10) Faroe Islands Banknotes New Series - 2012: An updated version of Faroese Banknote Series with new security features was introduced into circulation: Banknotes were printed by Danmarks Nationalbank
11) Cairns, Faroe Islands: Posta (Faroese Post) has issued a postage stamp of 100.00 DKK (Danish Kroners) celebrating the significance of Cairns all over the Faroe Islands: Date of Stamp issue: 10.08.2023
12) "Treasures of the Sea", Faroe Islands: A set of Franking Labels - Four Franking Labels issued by Posta (Faroe Islands Post): Date/Year of Franking Labels issue: 03.02.2025
Posts on Finland on this Blog:
Posts on Aruba on this blog:
1) A New 2019 Fourth Series of Banknotes, Aruba, issued by the Central Bank of Aruba (Centrale Bank van Aruba) on 04.06.2019 comprising five denominations with the theme of "Endangered Flora and Fauna of Aruba" and historic monuments and landmarks