3652) Disney Season’s Greetings – Happy Hanukkah Colourised Proof Coin, Niue Island: A $2 (Two Dollars) 1-oz Silver Colourised Coin: Date/Year of Coin issue: 2024:
Hanukkah is a Jewish festival commemorating the recovery of Jerusalem and subsequent rededication of the Second Temple at the beginning of the Maccabean Revolt against the Seleucid Empire in the 2nd century BCE.
Hanukkah is observed for eight nights and days, starting on the 25th day of Kislev according to the Hebrew calendar, which may occur at any time from November 28 to December 27 in the Gregorian calendar.
The festival is observed by lighting the candles of a candelabrum with nine branches, commonly called a "menorah or hanukkiah".
One branch is placed above or below the others and its candle is used to light the other eight candles.
This
unique candle is called the "shammash" (שַׁמָּשׁ,
"attendant"). Each night, one additional candle is lit by the
shammash until all eight candles are lit together on the final night of the
festival.
Other Hanukkah festivities include singing Hanukkah songs, playing the game of dreidel and eating oil-based foods, such as latkes and sufganiyot (similar to jelly donuts), and dairy foods.
Since the 1970s, the worldwide Chabad Hasidic Movement has initiated public menorah lightings in open public places in many countries.
Originally instituted as a feast "in the manner of Sukkot (Booths)", it does not come with the corresponding obligations, and is therefore a relatively minor holiday in strictly religious terms.
Nevertheless, Hanukkah has attained major cultural significance in North America and elsewhere, especially among secular Jews, due to often occurring around the same time as Christmas during the festive season.
Festival of Lights:
In Modern Hebrew, Hanukkah may also be called the "Festival of Lights" (חַג הַאוּרִים, Ḥag
HaUrim), based on a comment by Josephus in Antiquities of the Jews, “καὶ ἐξ ἐκείνου
μέχρι τοῦ δεῦρο τὴν ἑορτὴν ἄγομεν
καλοῦντες
αὐτὴν φῶτα” ("And from then on we celebrate this festival, and we call it Lights").
The first Hebrew translation of Antiquities (1864) used (חַג הַמְּאֹרוֹת)
"Festival of Lamps", but the translation "Festival of
Lights" (חַג הַאוּרִים)
appeared by the end of the nineteenth century.
The Coins:
Modern mints and private organisations often issue Hanukkah-themed coins to commemorate the Jewish Festival of Lights and appeal to collectors who value cultural and religious symbolism.
The State of Israel has a well-documented tradition of issuing commemorative coins and medallions that celebrate Jewish holidays, including Hanukkah.
Since the 1950s, Israel has produced Hanukkah coins, many of which feature designs of menorahs, dreidels, or historical references to the Maccabean Revolt, which inspired the holiday.
These coins are typically struck in gold, silver, or base metals and are sold as collector pieces.
International mints, such as the New Zealand Mint (the issuer of the Niue coin), have increasingly tapped into cultural and holiday-themed numismatics. While these modern releases aren’t traditionally part of Jewish coinage, they reflect a broader trend of blending pop culture (like Disney) with meaningful cultural celebrations.
The 2024 Niue $2 1oz Silver Mickey Mouse Hanukkah Coin is a unique and festive addition to numismatic and Disney collections.
Struck from one ounce of 99.9% pure silver, this officially licensed coin celebrates Hanukkah, the Jewish Festival of Lights, with the Disney character Mickey Mouse.
The coin’s charming design depicts Mickey lighting the menorah, a heartwarming scene paying tribute to tradition while appealing to Disney lovers of all ages.
Mickey and Minnie Mouse welcome the 2024 Holiday season by observing the traditional Jewish Festival of Lights of Hanukkah on this enchanting coin, the latest release in Niue’s annual Disney Season’s Greetings coin series!
Mickey and Minnie Mouse welcome the 2024 Holiday season by observing the traditional Jewish Festival of Lights of Hanukkah on this enchanting coin, the latest release in Niue’s annual Disney Season’s Greetings coin series!
- Issued as legal tender by Niue, a Pacific Island nation well-known for its collectible-themed coins, this release combines the joy of Disney and cultural significance.
The coin’s Obverse features the effigy of King Charles III, marking it as a timeless memento in an era of transition.
- Presented in official government packaging, it makes for a thoughtful gift or keepsake to commemorate the Hanukkah season. With its limited mintage, this coin stands out as a festive and collectible treasure, embodying Disney’s magic and the spirit of Hanukkah.
Hanukkah coins continue to grow in popularity as meaningful gifts and collectibles that celebrate Jewish culture and tradition.
New Banknotes of Mozambique:
1) New Banknotes of Mozambique
ZiG: The new currency of Zimbabwe:
1) ZiG: The new Currency of Zimbabwe
Eswatini (Swaziland):
4) The 10th Anniversary of Joaan Bin Jassim Academy for Defence Studues, Qatar
Interesting posts from Sierra Leone:
Links to posts on Zaire/Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC):
2) Currency & Coinage of Ghana: Cedis & Pesewas
6) Two new Cedi Banknotes of GH200 & GH100 and a GH2 Cedi Coin introduced in 11/2019
Links to other interesting posts on our Ghana visit in 2013:
1) Lake Bosumchwe or Bosumchwi, Ghana
2) El Mina Castle/Fort, Cape Coast, Ghana
3) History of Coinage and Banknotes of Ghana
6) Larabanga mosque and the Mystic Stone
7) Food, Culture and Music of Ghana
9) Oware: The Ancient National Board Game of Ghana
Interesting posts from Sierra Leone:
Links to posts on Zaire/Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC):
Rajan Trikha has commented:
ReplyDelete"Very Nice."
Thank you, Trikha sahab.
DeleteSantosh Khanna has commented:
ReplyDelete"A VERY interesting and informative ĺovely message. Thanks for sharing."
Thank you so much, Khanna sahab.
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