2411) Craters (or "Makhteshim" in Hebrew) in Israel: 74th Israel Independence Day: Five spectacular Craters - The Ramon Crater, The Big Crater, Small Crater and The Arif (Twin) Craters feature on Gold and Silver Coins issued by the ICMC (Israel Coins and Medals Corporation): Date of Coins issue: 05/2022:
CRATERS IN ISRAEL:
The Header/Banner shows the Obverses and Reverses of the 10 NIS Gold and 2 & 1 NIS Silver Coins issued to celebrate Israel's 74th Independence Day
Israel has five spectacular craters (in Hebrew "Makhteshim") – the Ramon Crater, the Big Crater, Small Crater, and the Arif (Twin) Craters.
These phenomenal formations etched into the landscape of the Israeli Negev Desert are the feature of Israel's 74th Anniversary Coin.
The Negev Craters are rare geological phenomena, the result of a combination of special conditions - layers of rock of differing hardness, rapidly streaming waters that swept with them eroded material and built the walls of the craters, and the desert climate which has preserved these unique formations.
According to geologists, the Negev Desert was once covered in water. At a later stage, when the water receded, the craters were formed.
In contrast to some craters in the world that were formed by meteoric impact or volcanic activity, the craters in Israel were formed by erosion of the soft rocks beneath the hard rocks, by water.
The Ramon Crater is the largest erosion crater in the world.
Recently, the "Ramon Crater International Dark Sky Park" was recognized as one of the 54 parks in the world for star observation, and it is the only one such park in the whole of the Middle East. The dark night skies over the Ramon Crater provide outstanding, natural panoramic starry night views.
The ancient 2000-year-old Nabatean Spice Route which passes across the heart of the Ramon Crater has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is commemorated on previous coins issued by the Bank of Israel.
The Ramon Crater serves as a memorial site for the seven astronauts in the Columbia Space Shuttle Crew, among them the first Israeli astronaut Ilan Ramon, all who perished when returning from their Space mission.
The night skies of the Ramon Crater are preserved by ensuring natural light levels, and the splendid starry sky views are a very important element for the commemoration.
The Coin:
On the Reverse of the Gold (10 NIS) and Silver (2 & 1 NIS) Coins is the inscription - "Craters in Israel" (in English, Hebrew and Arabic).
Below is a view of the different layers of rock that form the craters and above them is depicted an eagle.
On the Obverse of the Gold (10 NIS) and Silver (2 & 1 NIS) Coins is featured The Israel State Emblem, "Israel" (in English, Hebrew and Arabic), "Independence Day 2022" (in English and Hebrew", mint mark of the ICMC and the denominational value textured to give an impression of layers of rocks.
The Coin has been issued in several Variants - Gold (10 NIS) and Silver (2 & 1 NIS):
i) The specification of the 10 NIS Gold Coin are:
Country of issue: Israel; Date/Year: 2022; Coin Series Theme: "Israel Independence Day"; Coin Theme: "Craters in Israel"; Denomination/Face Value(s): 10 NIS (New Israeli Shekel); Metal Composition: .917 Fineness Gold (Au), 22k; Weight: 16.96 grams; Diameter/Size: 30.00 mm; Coin Quality: Proof (P); Mint: Israel Coins and Medals Corporation (ICMC); Mint Mark: Mem ("מ"); Mintage: 555 pieces; Designer: Eli Geller; Legal Tender: The Coin is legal tender in Israel.
ii) The specification of the 2 NIS Silver Coin are:
Country of issue: Israel; Date/Year: 2022; Coin Series Theme: "Israel Independence Day"; Coin Theme: "Craters in Israel"; Denomination/Face Value(s): 2 NIS (New Israeli Shekel); Metal Composition: .999 Fineness Silver (Ag); Weight: 1.00 Oz or 31.1 grams; Diameter/Size: 38.70 mm; Coin Quality: Proof (P); Mint: Israel Coins and Medals Corporation (ICMC); Mint Mark: Mem ("מ"); Mintage: 2,800 pieces; Designer: Eli Geller; Legal Tender: The Coin is legal tender in Israel.
iii) The specification of the 1 NIS Silver Coin are:
Country of issue: Israel; Date/Year: 2022; Coin Series Theme: "Israel Independence Day"; Coin Theme: "Craters in Israel"; Denomination/Face Value(s): 1 NIS (New Israeli Shekel); Metal Composition: .925 Fineness Silver (Ag); Weight: 14.40 grams; Diameter/Size: 30.00 mm; Coin Quality: Prooflike (PL); Mint: Israel Coins and Medals Corporation (ICMC); Mint Mark: Star of David; Mintage: 1,800 pieces; Designer: Eli Geller; Legal Tender: The Coin is legal tender in Israel.
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