1326) 72nd Anniversary of Independence ("Yom Ha'atzmaut"), Israel: Gold (10 NIS), Silver (2 NIS) & Silver Proof-like (1 NIS) Coins issued on the theme - "Desert Agriculture" by ICMC (Israel Coins & Medals Corporation), Israel: Date of Coins issue: 20.04.2020:

1326) 72nd Anniversary of Independence ("Yom Ha'atzmaut"), Israel: Gold (10 NIS), Silver (2 NIS) & Silver Proof-like (1 NIS) Coins issued on the theme - "Desert Agriculture" by ICMC (Israel Coins & Medals Corporation), Israel: Date of Coins issue: 20.04.2020:

The Bank of Israel has issued on 20.04.2020, new collector coins in the denominations of 10 NIS (Gold), 2 NIS (Silver) and 1 NIS (Proof-like) celebrating Israel's 72nd Anniversary of Independence. This important national milestone is marked every year with collector coins being issued annually, and they depict a new theme and an important element of Israel.

The Obverse & Reverse of the 1 NIS Silver Proof-like coin placed side-by-side

Agriculture in the Negev Desert existed since ancient times, and with the establishment of the modern State of Israel in 1948, the dream of Israel's first Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion was to "make the desert bloom".

Ben-Gurion strongly encouraged settlement of the Negev and Judean Deserts, but with the underlying fact that 60 percent of Israel's territory was desert land, there was a need to overcome the challenges of a hot, dry climate, something Israel achieved with success.

Use of advanced technology and techniques led to the production of some of the world's highest and best agricultural areas diminished in size and it became even more critical to take advantage of the Negev Desert Region.

The need for water conservation also led to the development of hydroponics, the most efficient means of irrigation, including the use of recycled water and drip irrigation, was initially developed in Israel. The saline water of the Desert was found sufficient enough for olives to thrive.

Presently, fruit and vegetables, including some of the world's sweetest cherry tomatoes, are grown in abundance in hi-tech green-houses, with some items regularly exported. 

In the Southern Negev, where, 2,000 years ago, the Nabatean found favourable conditions for cultivating grapevines. In the Arava in the far South and further North in the Jordan Valley, the popular Medjoul dates are grown with an emphasis on the tasty "bonbon" variety, which are exported to over 30 different countries.

Meeting the challenges of the desert has created a "desert revolution" in Israel, the seeds of which have become distributed all over the world. Many other countries, also coping with these same climatic challenges today, look to Israel for help and inspiration.

The Commemorative Coins:

The Coins are issued in three variants - 10 NIS (Gold), 2 NIS (Silver) and 1 NIS (Silver Proof-like).

 All three coins bear the same designs except for the mint mark, which is either the 5 pointed Star of David or the Hebrew Letter "Mem" and have been minted by the Holy Land Mint:

On the Obverse of the Coin is depicted the Israel State Emblem towards the upper periphery, "Israel" is inscribed on the outer periphery in three languages - English, Hebrew and Arabic. 

"INDEPENDENCE DAY 2020" is mentioned in English & Hebrew. The face value of the Coin and mint mark (five pointed star of David or the Hebrew letter "Mem") are engraved on this face.

Behind the face value of the coin is an element representing the hot desert sun. In the lower section, artistic elements represent tomatoes (left) and grapes (right) grown in the Negev Desert.

On the Reverse of the Coin there is a peripheral inscription - "DESERT AGRICULTURE" (in English, Hebrew and Arabic) and olive branches. 

At left is the strong desert sun, greenhouses and rectangles of a histogram - signifying control of growth conditions in the greenhouses.

At right, panels for production of solar energy, grapes, peppers and tomatoes, representing the fruit and vegetables grown in the Negev are depicted.

Further below, drops of water and pipes symbolise drip irrigation.

The Coins are issued in three variants - 10 NIS (Gold), 2 NIS (Silver) and 1 NIS (Silver Proof-like). 

The specifications of these coins are:

The Gold 10 NIS variant:

Denomination: 10 NIS (Shekel); Metal Composition: .917 or 22K Gold (Au); Weight: 16.96 grams; Diameter/Size: 30.0 mm; Coin Quality: Proof; Maximum Mintage: 555 pieces; Mint: Holy Land Mint; Mint Mark: "Mem"; Year: 2020; Designer: ER Design Team.

The Silver 2 NIS variant:

Denomination: 2 NIS (Shekel); Metal Composition: .999 Fineness Silver (Ag); Weight: 31.1 grams or 1 Oz; Diameter/Size: 38.7 mm; Mint: Holy Land Mint; Mint Mark: "Mem"; Maximum Mintage: 2,800 pieces; Year: 2020; Designer: ER Design Team.

The 1 NIS Silver Proof-like variant:

Denomination: 1 NIS (Shekel); Metal Composition: .925 Fineness Silver (Ag); Coin Quality: Proof-like; Weight: 14.4 grams; Diameter/Size: 30.0 mm; Mint: Holy Land Mint; Mint Mark: Star of David; Maximum Mintage: 1,800 pieces; Year: 2020; Designer: ER Design Team.

Each Coin is encapsulated and presented individually in a custom Holy Land Mint branded case and is accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity (COA).

Links to more posts from ICMC, Israel:
Gates of Jerusalem Coin Series:

1) "Jaffa Gate, Jerusalem", Israel: First Coin in the "Gates of Jerusalem" Coin Series: Gold & Silver Bullion Coins issued by the Israel Coins and Medals Corporation (ICMC) and minted by the Holy Land Mint in 2017:

2) "Lion's Gate", Jerusalem, Israel: Second Coin in the "Gates of Jerusalem" Coin Series: Gold and Silver Bullion Coins issued by the Israel Coins and Medals Corporation (ICMC) and minted by the Holy Land Mint in 2018:

3) "Damascus Gate", Jerusalem, Israel: Third Coin in the "Gates of Jerusalem" Coin Series: Gold and Silver Bullion Coins issued by the Israel Coins and Medals Corporation (ICMC) and minted by the Holy Land Mint in 2018 (with the year of issue as 2019):

4) "New Gate", Jerusalem, Israel: Fourth Coin in the "Gates of Jerusalem" Coin Series: Gold and Silver Bullion Coins issued by the Isral Coins and Medals Corporation (ICMC) and minted by the Holy Land Mint in 2019

5) "Golden Gate", Jerusalem, Israel: Fifth Coin in the "Gates of Jerusalem" Coin Series: Gold and Silver Bullion Coins issued by the Israel Coins and Medals Corporation (ICMC) and minted by the Holy Land Mint in 2019

Birds of Israel Coin Series:

 1) Hoopoe: First coin in the "Birds of Israel Coin Series"

2) Warbler: Second Coin in the Birds of Israel Coin Series"

3) Vulture: Third coin in the "Birds of Israel Coin Series"

4) Lesser Kestrel: Fourth Coin in the "Birds of Israel Coin Series"

5) Goldfinch: Fifth Coin in the "Birds of Israel Coin Series"

6) Kingfisher: Sixth Coin in the "Birds of Israel Coin Series"

7) Sunbird: Seventh Coin in the "Birds of Israel Coin Series"

8) Barn Owl: Eighth Coin in the "Birds of Israel Coin Series"

Other interesting posts from Israel:

1) 50 Years of Reunification of Israel: Israel's 69th anniversary 50 Shekel gold coin and 10 Shekel Silver coin issued on 01.08.2017:

2) Centenary of the Battle of Haifa, Israel: Eretz, fought in September 2018 by the Indian cavalry comprising Jodhpur and Mysore Lancers against German and Turkish troops: A commemorative stamp brought out by Israel Post on 06.02.2018:

3) Butterflies of Israel: A Series of Eight Coins issued by the Israel Coins and Medals Corporation (ICMC), minted by the Holy Land Mint (2018)

4) 71st Anniversary of Israel's establishment: "Innovation Nation": A Gold 10 New Israeli Shekel (NIS) , a Silver 2 NIS Coin and a Silver 1 NIS Coin celebrate this year's milestone

5) "Jerusalem Windmill", Israel: The Ninth Coin in the Jerusalem of Gold Bullion Coin Series: Issue Year: 2019

6) "The Twelve Spies", ICMC, Israel: 23rd Coin in the Biblical Art series: Gold 10 & 1 New Israeli Shekel (NIS) and Silver 2 & 1 New Israeli Shekel (NIS) Coins issued by the Holy Land Mint:

7) Ancient Roman Arenas (in Israel): A set of three Stamps issued by Israel Post on 19.12.2017

8) Banknotes of the New Israeli Shekel (NIS): Series "A" (1985-1989), Series "B" (1999-2017) and Series "C" (2014 to Present Day)

9) Flowers of Israel: A set of eight Silver Medals issued by Israel Coin and Medals Corporation (ICMC) featuring the - Poppy Anemone, Cyclamen, Common Narcissus, Bristly Hollyhock, Common Caper, Crown Daisies, Steven's Meadow Saffron and Dark Purple Iris: Issue Year: 2019

10) Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Israel: 50th Anniversary Celebrations: A stamp of NIS 5.0 issued by Israel Post: Date of Stamp issue: 05.01.2020

11) Concentration Camps, Liberation, Israel: 75 years ago (1945-2020): A commemorative postage stamp issued by Israel Post on Concentration Camps, Displaced Person's Camps and creation of Eretz Israel (The "Land of Israel"): Date of Stamp issue: 21.04.2020:

12) Mikve Israel: Commemorating 150 Years of Mikve Israel (1870-2020): A postage stamp brought out by Israel Post celebrating the milestone: Date of Stamp issue:21.04.2020

13) 72nd Anniversary of Independence ("Yom Ha'atmaut"), Israel: Gold (10 NIS), Silver (2 NIS)) & Silver Proof-like (1 NIS) Coins issued on the theme - "Desert agriculture"by ICMC (Israel Coins & Medals Corporation), Israel: Date of Coins issue: 20.04.2020

"Views of Jerusalem" Gold and Silver Bullion Coin Series:

1) Walls of Jerusalem: Third Coin in the Series Gold and Silver Bullion Coins issued by ICMC, Israel & the Holy Land Mint (2018)

2) The City of David: Fourth Coin in the Gold and Silver Bullion Coin Series issued by ICMC, Israel & the Holy Land Mint, Israel (2019)

"Ancient Cities of the Holy Land Gold and Silver Bullion Coin Series":

1) Old Jaffa, Israel: The "Ancient Cities of the Holy Land" Gold & Silver Bullion Coin Series minted by the Israel Coinsand Medals Corporation (ICMC) through the Holy Land Mint: Date of issue: 01.03.2020

For some other interesting posts from Italy/The Vatican, please visit the following links:

1) Israel-Vatican Joint Issue: Celebrating 25 Years of Diplomatic Relations between Israel and The Vatican: A Commemorative Stamp issued jointly by the Vatican Numismatic Service and Israel Post on 10.09.2019

1325) SEPAC 2020, Artwork, Faroe Islands, Denmark: A SEPAC stamp issue of the value of 20 DKK (Danish Kroners) depicting a brightly coloured row of "Moon Pigeons" (birds), issued by Postverk Foroya (Faroe Islands Post): Date of Stamp issue: 27.04.2020:

1325) SEPAC 2020, Artwork, Faroe Islands, Denmark: A SEPAC stamp issue of the value of 20 DKK (Danish Kroners) depicting a brightly coloured row of "Moon Pigeons" (birds), issued by Postverk Foroya (Faroe Islands Post): Date of Stamp issue: 27.04.2020:

The theme for the 2020 Series of SEPAC Stamps is "Artwork in National Collections", issued by small European Postal Administrations.

About SEPAC (Small European Postal Administration Cooperation):

In 1994, an annual conference for the small postal administrations in Europe was convened to discuss various philatelic matters of interest specifically in relation to these postal administrations.

The annual SEPAC conference of the small European Postal Administrations commenced in 1999.

The first joint issue of SEPAC postage stamps occurred on 01.10.2007 and has been convened at irregular intervals since then.

The following criteria is required to be met by members:

- The postal administration must be located in Europe

-  The postal administration must be independent

- The postal administration must have a small market with more than 50% of its philatelic customers living outside the country.

The present association membership of 14 members includes -

Aland Islands - Postal Organisation - Posten Aland

Faroe Islands -  DO - Postverk Foroya

Gibraltar        - DO -  Royal Gibraltar Post Office

Greenland      - DO -  Post Greenland

Guernsey       - DO -  Guernsey Post

Iceland          - DO -  Islandspostur

Isle of Man     - Do -  Isle of Man Post

Jersey            - DO -  Jersey Post

Liechtenstein  - DO -  Liechtensteinische Post

Luxembourg   - DO -  Post Luxembourg

Malta             - DO -  Malta Post

Monaco          - Do -  La Poste de Monaco

San Marino     - DO -  Poste San Marino

Vatican City    - DO -  Poste Vaticane


The SEPAC 2020 Stamp issue by Faroe Islands:

A Faroe Islands Postage stamp of 20KR (Danish Kroners) depicting the Artwork titled "Moon Pigeons" by Diorikur A. Skarvanesi in the Faroese Art Society Museum

A brightly coloured row of birds meets the eye, all in profile, slightly shifted to the rear of each other, each on its own small elevation. Strong yellow, blue, green and red fields light up in between the brown and black surfaces of the bird's plumages. Even if the patterned colour surfaces lend the arrangement a decorative touch, one notices that the subject matter is "Moon pigeons", a title indicating the fantasy world to which these pigeons belong.

The fragile images on paper are one of four having survived over time, having been created during the first part of the 19th Century.

They were originally mounted in a glass frame and hung up in the living room of a family in Sandoy. However, due to stove heating, the frame fell apart and the sheets were preserved in an old Bible. 

They were then forgotten until they finally reappeared  and were sold to the Faroese Art Society in 1954. A fifth and final picture later found its way to the Museum's collection as a donation from another branch of the family.

The artist Diorikur a Skarvanesi (1802-65) was one of the family's ancestors. Due to the picture's age and artistic quality, Diorikur was the first Faroese artist, creating his works, some hundred years before "Faroese Art" became a recignised concept starting with the renowned painter Samuel Joensen-Mikines and his successors.

The five drawings by Diorikur are made in gouache i.e. water colour with high pigment concentration, as well as,  a white dye which solidifies the colours while dimming them at the same time.

 Most of the birds in Diorikur's gouaches are wild Faroese birds. - a white-speckled raven, a species which was found in the Faroes at that time, but is now extinct. The Fulmar (another species of bird represented in the paintings), on the other hand had first started breeding  in the Faroe Islands in 1839.

With the birds arranged in a row, Diorikur's gouaches are reminiscent of posters in numerous scientific books of Ornithology published in Europe and America in the 18th and 19th Centuries.

The SEPAC Stamps:

The First Day Cover (FDC) is titled at left - "SEPAC 2020: MANADUGVUR DIDRIKUR A SKARVANESI". At extreme left is an image taken from the artwork.

At top right is affixed the postage stamp of 20 Kroner, cancelled with the special Handstamp/Postmark of Torshavn, Utgavudagin dated - "27.04.2020".

The First Day Cover (FDC) bearing a Cancelled Block (4 Stamps).

                    A Collectible Sheet

A Block (set of four stamps) - upper marginal

A Maxi Card - A maxi card has all three elements - the picture, the stamp and the Special Cancellation Handstamp all on the same side of the post card.
row 





Posts on SEPAC 2020 theme: "Artwork in National Collections":

1) SEPAC 2020, Artwork, Aland Islands: A tribute to Aland Artist Henrik Nylund (1945-1982) by Aland Post in the 2020 Series of SEPAC stamps featuring artwork in National Collections and issued by Small European Administrations: Date of Stamp issue: 05.03.2020

2) SEPAC 2020, Artwork, Faroe Islands, Denmark: A SEPAC stamp issued ofthe value of 20 DKK (Danish Kroners) depicting a brightly coloured row of "Moon Pigeons" (birds), issued by Postverk Foroya (Faroe Islands Post): Date of Stamp issue: 27.04.2020

Some other interesting Posts from Finland & Nordic Countries:

1) Mint of Finland: Provincial Coins issued in 2010 & 2011 depicting cultures/traditions of Nine Historic Provinces which ceased to be Administrative Regions in 1634  

2) Commemorative Coins on Finnish Nature: 2 Euro (Cupro-Nickel) and 10 Euro (Silver) Coin depicting a Crow issued as part of "Finland 100" (Centennial Programme in 2017

3) Currency of Denmark: Krone and Ore (Part I): Historical Development of Coinage in Denmark

4) Currency of Denmark: Krone and Ore (Part II): The Evolution of Banknotes in Denmark

 5) "The Golden Age of Finnish Art": A 10 Euro Silver Coin with the afore-mentioned theme as part of the sub-theme for 2017 - "The Age of Iron and Glass" under the overall theme of "Ages of Europe" issued by the Mint of Finland on 20.02.2017: ii) "Europa Coin Programme" ot the "European Silver Star Programme" or the "Eurostar Programme"

6) Norges Bank (Central Bank of Norway): Introduction of the VIII Series of innovative/pixelated Banknotes with the theme "The Sea" in a phased manner from May 2017 to Q4 2020 and gradual withdrawal of the presently circulating Banknotes (VII Series) 

7) Currency and Coinage of Sweden: Kronor and Ore: New Banknote Series and Coins being issued in 2015 and 2016 

8) Currency and Coinage of Iceland: issued by  the Central Bank of Iceland or "Sedlabanki Islands": Kroner & Eyrir 

9) Centenary of the First Constitution of Independent Finland (1919-2019): A 100 Euro Gold Commemorative Coin celebrates the Centenary Anniversary with this abstract design minted by the Mint of Finland at their facilities in Vantaa: Coin Release date: 17.06.2019

10) "Protection of the Baltic Sea", Finland: The theme of this six stamp set issued by "Posti" (Finland Post), Finland, represented by Moomin stories characters: Stamp set issue date: 22.01.2020

11) Northern Lights, Aland Islands: A stamp of 1.70 Euro issued by Aland Post on 08.03.2019

12) Wildflowers, Aland: A new Series of Franking Labels issued by Aland Post: Date of issue: 03.02.2020

13) "Arctic Deserts", Kalaallit Nunaat, ("Land of the People"), Greenland: Special Stamps issued by Greenland Post, the first one on 21.01.2019 and the second Stamp on 28.02.2020

14) SEPAC 2020, Artwork, Aland Islands: A tribute to Aland Artist Henrik Nylund (1945-1982) by Aland Post in the 2020 Series of SEPAC stamps featuring artwork in National Collections and issued by Small European Administrations: Date of Stamp issue: 05.03.2020

15) "Franking Labels" from Greenland: Franking Labels issued by POST Greenland Filatelia since 2009 onwards: A brief analysis

16) Ancient Postal Routes - the Postal Boat Race - between Aland and Sweden", Aland, Finland: A EUROPA Postage Stamp of 2.00 Euro issued by Aland Post: Date of Stamp issue: 08.05.2020

Links to other Posts on Aland issues:

1) Northern Lights, Aland Islands: A stamp of 1.70 Euro issued by Aland Post on 08.03.2019

2) Wildflowers, Aland Islands: A new Series of Franking Labels issued by Aland Post: Date of issue: 03.02.2020

3) SEPAC 2020, Artwork, Aland Islands: A tribute to Aland Artist Henrik Nylund (1945-1982) by Aland Post in the 2020 Series of SEPAC stamps featuring artwork in National Collections and issued by Small European Administrations: Date of Stamp issue: 05.03.2020

For other interesting posts on issues from the Royal Dutch Mint, Netherlands and PostNL, please visit the following links:

1) The Stelling Van Amsterdam (Defense Line of Amsterdam), Netherlands: Royal Dutch Mint: Latest "Dutch UNESCO Sites Series" coins in the denominations of 5 Euro (Plated Copper), 5 Euro (Silver) and 10 Euro (Gold) issued on 21.11.2017

2) Fanny Blankers-Koen - "The Flying Housewife" who won four Gold Medals at the 1948 London Olympics: 100th Birth Anniversary commemorated with the issue of Gold, Sterling Silver and Silver plated Copper Coins in 2018

3) Netherlands: Gold Ducats - 2018: Single Ducat and Double Ducat Gold Coins minted by the Royal Dutch Mint, Netherlands in 2018

4) Royal Dutch Mint, Utrecht, Netherlands (or the "koninklijke Nederlandse Munt): Crossing the 100th Anniversary milestone with the issue the the World's first QR Coded Coin in 2011: Winner of the prestigious 2013 "Coin of the Year Award" (COTY) & the Most Innovative Coin of the Year" Category

5) The Beemster, Netherlands: 20th Anniversary of Beemster Polder being designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site: An efficient Land reclamation Project emulated by several countries world-wide: A set of Gold (10 Euro), Sterling Silver, Silver-plated and Uncirculated (All 5 Euro) coins brought out by the Royal Dutch Mint, Utrecht in 2019

6) Dutch Aviation, Netherlands: Centenary Celebrations (1919-2019): Three coins - one Gold (10 Euros), One Sterling Silver (5 Euros) and a Silver-plated (5 Euros) Coins, along with a Silver medal celebrate this milestone in Dutch Aviation history: Coin issue date: 14.03.2019

7) 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

8) Butterflies and Moths of Netherlands: A set of 10 Postage stamps brought out by PostNL on 11.06.2019 under its ongoing Postage Stamp Series titled "Experience Nature "

9) "De Haar Castle", Utrecht, Netherlands: The first 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: Date/Year of Delivery: 04/2020

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

Posts from Belgium & Luxembourg:

1) Bicentenary of the Battle of Waterloo and Napoleon's Exile to st. Helena: (Part II) 1) A 5 GBP Coin issued by the Royal Mint UK. 2) A"Drie Landen Zilverset" ( ot the "Three Lands Silver set") containing coins issued by the Royal Dutch Mint including coins of Netherlands, Belgium and UK

2) Special Commemorative circulating 2 Euro Coins issued by Belgium, Germany and Luxembourg with the themes of Economic and Political Institutions 

3) Belgium, Netherlands and Luxembourg (BENELUX): National Airports Theme: A new collaborative Mint-set brought out in 2019 which incloudes all the circulating coins of the BENELUX region and a medal with the 2019 theme - "Air travel"

4) Pentagons in Nature, Belgium: "Geometry in Nature Series": Third Postage Stamp issue in the series commenced in 2018: Stamp set issue date: 27.01.2020

5) City of Bruges (or Brugge), Belgium: 20 Years as UNENCO World Heritage Site: A 20 Euro Silver Proof Coin issued by the Royakl Dutch Mint under licencing of the Royal Belgian Mint, on behalf of the National Bank of Belgium: Coin issue date: 26.02.2020

6) 100 Years of Nature & Environment Protection, Luxembourg: Commemorating the Centenary Anniversary of the "Letzebuerger Natur a Vulleschutsliga a.s.b.l. (Luxembourg Nature and Bird Protection Society):A 0.80 Euro Stamp issued by Luxembourg Postes (Post): Date of stamp issue: 10.03.2020

7) Celebrating 25 Years of listing on UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Luxembourg: A Commemorative Stamp of 0.80 Euro issued by Luxembourg Postes (Post): Stamp issue date: 10.03.2020

8) "Ancient Postal Routes - The Postal Route from Christiania to Bergen", Norway: A Europa Stamp of 20g issued by Posten Norge (or Norwegian Post)depicting the difficult mountain route/stretch at Vindhellvegen & Kongevegen: Date od Stamp issue: 17.04.2020