3635) "David and Jonathan", Israel: Biblical Art Commemorative Coin Series": 28th Coin in the Series issued by the Israel Coins and Medals Corporation (ICMC): Date/Year of Coin issue: 2024:
A Header/Banner of the entire Series.
28th in the "Biblical Art" Commemorative Coin Series features the story of David and Jonathan:
The rich legacy of the Jewish People and the stories that have touched the hearts of millions around the world have been commemorated annually for over 20 years by the Bank of Israel, in a prestigious "Biblical Art" Coin Series.
Starting with the "Binding of Isaac" and continuing on to "Joseph and his Brothers", "Miriam and the Women", "Jacob's Dream" and, most recently, "Deborah the Prophetess" - The unique limited edition collection highlights the fascinating stories of the Bible in gold and silver coins.
The story of David and Jonathan, told in the Book of Samuel, is the story of an exceptional covenant of friendship based on loyalty, affection and mutual support, surpassing usual family friendship.
Jonathan, the eldest son of King Saul, crown prince, had great respect for David, a young shepherd, and the two became close friends. When David became a successful warrior for Saul and popular with the people, Saul’s jealousy of David was aroused, as he believed David to be a threat to his kingship. Although he was King Saul’s son and heir to the throne, Jonathan remained loyal to David, wanting him to be king after his father:
“… And you shall reign over Israel, and may I be to you as a viceroy, and my father Saul too, knows this is so" (1 Samuel 23,17).
Such a situation was not at all usual, particularly in a time when it was more common for brothers to kill one another in order to ensure a kingship.
“And Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself” (1 Samuel 18,3).
The covenant between the two was more than any ordinary bond of friendship. It was a covenant between their souls, a mutual promise to love, defend and assist each other in all circumstances. Jonathan, in spite of his royal status, fearlessly defended David from his father who sought to kill him, and he gave him vital information to help him survive his father’s pursuit of him. David, on his part, proved his loyalty to Jonathan again and again, and expressed deep appreciation of his faithful friend.
After Saul and Jonathan’s death on the battlefield, David composed a lamentation, in which he mourns for them. In his concluding words, he says: “I am distressed for you, my brother Jonathan, you were very pleasant to me. Your love was more wonderful to me than the love of women” (2 Samuel 1,26).
The story of David and Jonathan is one of a true, unconditional and boundless friendship, which has transcended the generations and remained inspiring to this very day. The covenant between them is exemplary, stressing the importance of interpersonal relationships, based on mutual trust and appreciation.
Coin Description:
On the Reverse of the Gold and Silver NIS Coins is depicted, David stands with his harp, to the right with the instrument with which he is identified.
To the left is Jonathan, the outstanding warrior, carrying on his back his arrows for battle. Both shake hands as a sign of the covenant they had forged between their souls.
The specifications of the Gold and Silver Variants are:
i) 10 NIS Gold Coin Variant:
Country: Israel; Year of Coin issue: 2024; Denomination/Coin value: 10 NIS (New Israeli Shekel); Coin Series Theme: "Biblical Art Coin Series"; Coin Theme: "David and Jonathan"; Metal Composition: .917 Fineness Gold (Au); Coin Quality: Proof (P); Diameter/Size: 30.00 mm; Weight: 16.96 grams; Minted by: Israel Coins and Medals Corporation (ICMC); Max. Mintage: 555 pieces; Mint Mark: The Hebrew letter "Mem ("מ")"; Designer: Yossi Lemel | Galia Erez.
ii) 1 NIS Gold Coin Variant:
Country: Israel; Year of Coin issue: 2024; Denomination/Coin value: 1 NIS (New Israeli Shekel); Coin Series Theme: "Biblical Art Coin Series"; Coin Theme: "David and Jonathan"; Metal Composition: .999 Fineness Gold (Au); Coin Quality: Proof (P); Diameter/Size: 13.92 mm; Weight: 1.244 grams; Minted by: Israel Coins and Medals Corporation (ICMC); Max. Mintage: 5,000 pieces; Mint Mark: The Hebrew letter "Mem ("מ")"; Designer: Yossi Lemel | Galia Erez.
iii) 2 NIS Silver Coin Variant:
Country: Israel; Year of Coin issue: 2023; Denomination/Coin value: 2 NIS (New Israeli Shekel); Coin Series Theme: "Biblical Art Coin Series"; Coin Theme: "Deborah the Prophetess"; Metal Composition: .999 Fineness Silver (Ag); Coin Quality: Proof (P); Diameter/Size: 38.70 mm; Weight: 1.00 Oz or 31.1 grams; Minted by: Israel Coins and Medals Corporation (ICMC); Max. Mintage: 2,800 pieces; Mint Mark: The Hebrew letter "Mem ("מ")"; Designer: Yossi Lemel | Galia Erez.
iv) 1 NIS Silver Coin Variant:
Country: Israel; Year of Coin issue: 2022; Denomination/Coin value: 1 NIS (New Israeli Shekel); Coin Series Theme: "Biblical Art Coin Series"; Coin Theme: "Deborah the Prophetess"; Metal Composition: .925 Fineness Silver (Ag); Coin Quality: Prooflike (Pl); Diameter/Size: 30.00 mm; Weight: 14.40 grams; Minted by: Israel Coins and Medals Corporation (ICMC); Max. Mintage: 1,800 pieces; Mint Mark: Star of David; Designer: Yossi Lemel | Galia Erez.
The Presentation Case together with the Certificate of Authenticity (COA).
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