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Wednesday 2 November 2022

2553) "Gamla and the Vultures", Israel: Fourth in the "Views of Israel" Commemorative Coin Series: Gold and Silver Coins Set issued by ICMC (Israel Coins & Medals Corporation): Date/Year of Coin issue: 2022:

2553) "Gamla and the Vultures", Israel: Fourth in the "Views of Israel" Commemorative Coin Series: Gold and Silver Coins Set issued by ICMC (Israel Coins & Medals Corporation): Date/Year of Coin issue: 2022:

The Header/Banner showcases the Obverses and Reverses of the Gold (10 NIS) and Silver (2, 1 NIS) Coins

GAMLA AND THE VULTURES: Fourth in the "Views of Israel" Commemorative Coin Series:

The Gamla Nature Reserve (GNR), located in the center of the Golan Heights, is considered to be one of the most beautiful reserves in Israel, with its steep stream cliffs, rich variety of wildlife, and impressive archeological remains of the ancient city of Gamla.

Ancient Gamla was built in 81 BCE by the Hasmonean King Alexander Jannai and, at the time, served as capital of the Golan. 

The name "Gamla" is derived from the Hebrew word "gamal" meaning "camel", because the city is built on the side of a steep mountain that resembles a camel's hump.

Gamla was declared a Nature Reserve in 2003

Two streams run through it – the Daliot Stream and the Gamla Stream, along which is the 51 meter-high Gamla Waterfall, the highest waterfall in Israel. 

The Gamla Reserve is home to a varied wildlife, including Israel's Mountain Gazelle, jackals, foxes, wolves, caracal, porcupines and vultures.

In the Reserve is the largest vulture nesting site in Israel. At the edge of the cliff, overlooking the Gamla stream is a vulture observation point, from which the vulture population and birds of prey in the Reserve can be watched.

Once, the most common bird in the Israel region, the vulture, today, fights for its survival, due in part to hunting, poisoning and diminishing food sources.  

Vultures can reach 1.1 meters in body length, a 2.70 metre wingspan and their weight is about 7.00 to 8.00 kilogram. 

Living exclusively on dead carcasses, they serve as a natural "sanitation crew", cleaning the area of the remains of dead animals, and thus preventing the spread of disease. 

The presence of vultures is, therefore, of great importance to nature's ecological system and much has been done in the Gamla Reserve, over the years, to rehabilitate the vulture population.

The Commemorative Coin:

The "Gamla and the Vultures" Commemorative Coin, chosen as fourth in the "Views of Israel" Series, features the spectacular view of the Gamla Nature Reserve and vultures which nest in the Reserve.

On the Obverse of the Gold and Silver Coins is depicted a vulture in flight against the Gamla Nature Reserve background. 

To the right is inscribed the face value and mint year - "2022".

On the Reverse of the Gold and Silver Coins is depicted a picturesque view of the Gamla Reserve with the Vulture Observation Point in the center and, above, vultures circling around in the sky.

The specifications of the Coin Variants are:

i) 10 NIS, Gold Coin Variant:

Country: Israel; Coin issue year: 2022; Coin Series Theme: "Views of Israel"; Coin Theme: "Gamla and the Vultures"; Denomination: 10 New Israeli Shekel (NIS); Mint: The Holy Land Mint, Israel Coin & Medals Corporation (ICMC), Jerusalem; Mint Mark: Hebrew letter "Mem"; Mintage: 555 pieces; Metal Composition: .917 Fineness Gold (Au); Coin Quality: Proof (P); Weight: 16.96 grams; Diameter/Size: 30.00 mm; Edge: Milled;  DesignerZvika Roitman.

ii) 2 NIS, Silver Coin Variant:

Country: Israel; Coin issue year: 2022; Coin Series Theme: "Views of Israel"; Coin Theme: "Gamla and the Vultures"; Denomination: 2 New Israeli Shekel (NIS); Mint: The Holy Land Mint, Israel Coin & Medals Corporation (ICMC), Jerusalem; Mint Mark: Hebrew letter "Mem"; Mintage: 2,800 pieces; Metal Composition: .999 Fineness Silver (Ag); Coin Quality: Proof (P); Weight: 45.5 grams;  Diameter/Size: 38.70 mm; Edge: Milled; DesignerZvika Roitman.

iii) 1 NIS, Silver Coin Variant:

Country: Israel; Coin issue year: 2022; Coin Series Theme: "Views of Israel"; Coin Theme: "Gamla and the Vultures"; Denomination: 1 New Israeli Shekel (NIS); Mint: The Holy Land Mint, Israel Coin & Medals Corporation (ICMC), Jerusalem; Mint Mark: Star of David; Mintage: 1,800 pieces; Metal Composition: .925 Fineness Silver (Ag); Coin Quality: Proof-like (PL); Weight: 45.5 grams; Diameter/Size: 30.00 mm; Edge: Smooth; DesignerZvika Roitman.

The Coins are Legal Tender issued by the Bank of Israel


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