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Friday 22 October 2021

2087) King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba, Israel: 25th Coin in the "Biblical Art Commemorative Coin Series": A set of Gold (10 and 1 NIS) and Silver (2 and 1 NIS) Coins issued by Israel Coins and Medals Corpn. (ICMC): Date/Year of Coins issued: 2021:

2087) King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba, Israel: 25th Coin in the "Biblical Art Commemorative Coin Series": A set of Gold (10 and 1 NIS) and Silver Coins (2 and 1 NIS) issued by Israel Coins and Medals Corpn. (ICMC): Date/Year of Coins issued: 2021:

KING SOLOMON AND THE QUEEN OF SHEBA:

This is the 25th Coin issued in the "Biblical Art" Commemorative Coin Series.

The story of the Queen of Sheba is told in the Bible, as well as in history books.

In the biblical story, the Queen of Sheba is not referred to by name. Rather, she is described as the Queen who came to Jerusalem to meet with King Solomon and assess the wisdom for which he was reputed:

"She came to test him with riddles" (1 Kings 10:1). King Solomon successfully solved the riddles for "Nothing was hidden from the king" (1 Kings 10:3).

The story of the Queen of Sheba is imbued with descriptions of King Solomon's greatness, his wealth and wisdom, the splendor and glory of the king's court and of the king himself.

All that the Queen of Sheba beheld at the King's palace and during the King's dinner surpassed her expectations, so much so, that she commented, "I have beheld that not even a half had been told to me. You have wisdom and goodness in excess of that which I have heard" (1 Kings 10:7).

In addition to her warm words, the Queen of Sheba brought fine gifts with her. On his behalf, King Solomon fully reciprocated and presented the Queen with "all her wish that she requested" (1 Kings 10:13).

While the Queen of Sheba's visit was to assess King Solomon's wisdom, it seems as though, behind the scenes, there was another reason for the state visit.

 King Solomon had been endeavoring to introduce a new sea trade route to the Far East, one which could be harmful for the desert tribes who were accustomed to transporting their merchandise by camel caravans. 

The purpose of the Queen of Sheba's visit may have been to stop this sea trade. According to 1 Kings 10:13, "King Solomon gave the Queen of Sheba all her wish", and the visit came to its conclusion with an agreement with the king.

The Ethiopian National Epic account, "Kebra Nagast" ("Glory of the Kings"), goes on to tell the story of King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba, in detail. 

It is told that the King invited the Queen to dine with him, the day before she left, and asked that well-seasoned food be prepared for her, so as to make her very thirsty. 

When the Queen awoke in the night, thirsty, and drank water, the King leaped out from a hiding place, telling her that water was the most expensive commodity in his kingdom and she was to pay for it. The Queen conceded and from this meeting, she became pregnant. 

On the return journey to her land, she gave birth to their son, whom she called "Son of the Wise" and who also became known as "Menilek".

About the Kebra Negast: 

The Kebra Nagast, is a 14th-century national epic account written in Ge'ez by Is'haq Neburä-Id of Axum. 

The text, in its existing form, is at least 700 years old and is considered to be a historically reliable work. It is considered to hold the genealogy of the Solomonic dynasty, which followed the Ethiopian Orthodox Church.

It contains an account of how the Queen of Sheba (Queen Makeda of Ethiopia) met King Solomon and about how the Ark of the Covenant came to Ethiopia with their son Menelik I (Menyelek). 

It also discusses the conversion of the Ethiopians from the worship of the Sun, Moon and stars to that of the "Lord God of Israel". 

The Kebra Nagast is not merely a literary work, but it is the repository of Ethiopian national and religious feelings.

The Coins:

On the Obverse of the Gold (10 and 1 NIS) and Silver (2 and 1 NIS) Coins is  depicted the Israel State Emblem, Denomination/face value, the name of the issuing country - "Israel" in three languages  - (English, Hebrew and Arabic), Mint Year - "2021" and mint mark of the Jerusalem Mint.

The peripheral inscription reads - "King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba" (again in the three languages).

In the center, a decorative element representing one of the lions of gold is placed.

On the Reverse of the Gold (10 and 1 NIS) and Silver (2 ans 1 NIS) Coins are depicted King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba in the King's palace. Also seen are the twelve lions of gold that decorated the steps leading up to King Solomon's throne.

The Coin has been issued in four variants - Two Gold (10 and 1 NIS) and two Silver (2 and 1 NIS):

i) The specifications of the 10 NIS Gold Coin are:

Country of issue: Israel; Year: 2021; Coin Series Theme: "Biblical Art Commemorative Coin Series"; Coin Theme: "King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba"; Denomination/Face Value: 10 NIS (New Israeli Shekel); Metal Composition: .917 Fineness Gold (Au); Weight: 16.96 grams; Diameter/Size: 30.0 mm; Coin Quality: Proof; Mintage: 555 pieces; Mint: Israel Coins and Medals Corpn. (ICMC); Mint Mark: Mem ("מ"); Presentation Box/Case: Yes; Certificate of Authenticity (COA): Yes; Designer: Aharon Shevo; Legal Tender: The Coin is legal tender in Israel.

ii) The specifications of the 1 NIS Gold Coin are:

Country of issue: Israel; Year: 2021; Coin Series Theme: "Biblical Art Commemorative Coin Series"; Coin Theme: "King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba"; Denomination/Face Value: 1 NIS (New Israeli Shekel); Metal Composition: .9999 Fineness Gold (Au); Weight: 1.244 grams; Diameter/Size: 13.92 mm; Coin Quality: Proof; Mintage: 5,000 pieces; Mint: Israel Coins and Medals Corpn. (ICMC);  Mint Mark: Mem ("מ"); Presentation Box/Case: Yes; Certificate of Authenticity (COA): Yes; Designer: Aharon Shevo; Legal Tender: The Coin is legal tender in Israel.

iii) The specifications of the 2 NIS Silver Coin are:

Country of issue: Israel; Year: 2021; Coin Series Theme: "Biblical Art Commemorative Coin Series"; Coin Theme: "King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba"; Denomination/Face Value: 2 NIS (New Israeli Shekel); Metal Composition: .999 Fineness Silver (Ag); Weight: 1.0 Oz or 31.1 grams; Diameter/Size: 38.7 mm; Coin Quality: Proof; Mintage: 2,800 pieces; Mint: Israel Coins and Medals Corpn. (ICMC);  Mint Mark: Mem ("מ"); Presentation Box/Case: Yes; Certificate of Authenticity (COA): Yes; Designer: Aharon Shevo; Legal Tender: The Coin is legal tender in Israel.

iv) The specifications of the 1 NIS Silver Coin are:

Country of issue: Israel; Year: 2021; Coin Series Theme: "Biblical Art Commemorative Coin Series"; Coin Theme: "King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba"; Denomination/Face Value: 1 NIS (New Israeli Shekel); Metal Composition: .925 Fineness Silver (Ag); Weight: 14.4 grams; Diameter/Size: 38.7 mm; Coin Quality: Proof-like; Mintage: 1,800 pieces; Mint: Israel Coins and Medals Corpn. (ICMC);  Mint Mark: Star of David; Presentation Box/Case: Yes; Certificate of Authenticity (COA): Yes; Designer: Aharon Shevo; Legal Tender: The Coin is legal tender in Israel.







Other interesting posts from Israel:






19) Modern Jewish Art Mandalas, Israel: Stamps issued by Israel Postal Company (Israel Post) on three Blessings - Kingship (2.50 NIS), Remembrances (7.40 NIS), Shofar (8.30 NIS): Date of Stamp set issue: 08.09.2020







Biblical Art Commemorative Coin Series:




"Jerusalem of Gold - Gold Bullion Coin Series:


Israel Independence Day - "Endangered Animals in Israel" Coin Series:




Birds of Israel Coin Series:


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



Some other interesting links to posts on this blog on Currencies of the Middle-East:




Some other interesting posts from the African Continent on this blog:























Divine Comedy Coin Series - Republic of Cameroon:








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12 comments:

  1. coins and more22 October 2021 at 12:44

    Vikram Bhatnagar has commented:
    "All the rest is fine but getting pregnant by drinking water and paying for it, seemed odd! 🤔"

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. coins and more22 October 2021 at 12:44

      This is how the old stories go. There is no way to verify the facts now. I guess, the folks writing these "tales" of "indiscretion" on the part of the "high and mighty" Royal blood, did so at the peril of their lives., so they couched them in the best possible way. 😀

      Delete
    2. coins and more22 October 2021 at 18:28

      Sumita Chaudhry has commented:
      "😊It is hard to believe people in olden times were even more weird than they are today."

      Delete
    3. coins and more24 October 2021 at 11:21

      Vikram Bhatnagar has further commented:
      "The History books we read and grew up with are prime examples of such oddities!"

      Delete
  2. coins and more22 October 2021 at 13:06

    Santosh Khanna has commented:
    "Thanks for sharing this interesting information. Keep it up."

    ReplyDelete
  3. coins and more22 October 2021 at 18:05

    Rajan Trikha has commented:
    "Quite fascinating 🤨"

    ReplyDelete
  4. coins and more24 October 2021 at 11:18

    Ashok Borate has commented:
    "बहुत ही अच्छी पोस्ट👌"

    ReplyDelete
  5. coins and more24 October 2021 at 11:19

    Rsanker Sharma has commented:
    "Very nice. Great post."

    ReplyDelete

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