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| "Noah's Ark"
Israel's "Biblical Art" Coin Series 1998/5758
Silver & Gold Coins Issued by the Bank of Israel
God was to bring a flood to wipe out evil and create a new, better world. Noah, as he is described in the book of Genesis, was "righteous in his generation" and was chosen to perpetuate the human race, the animal and bird species. He was to build an ark in which he and his family, along with representatives of the animal and bird kingdoms, would be preserved alive. Over a hundred and twenty years, Noah prepared for this, planting cedar trees, especially for their wood. Fifty years it took him to build the ark. When the ark was ready, the flood waters inundated the earth, blotting out all earthly existence. The rains ceased; the waters subsided and the ark came to rest on the mountains of Ararat. After forty days, Noah sent out a raven but the raven returned. Seven days later, he released a dove. The dove came back to the ark with an olive leaf in its beak. After a further seven days, Noah sent out the dove again and this time it did not return. Noah understood that there was dry land. God promised never to destroy mankind again and set the rainbow in the sky as an everlasting symbol of this promise. The fourth coin issued by the Bank of Israel in the "Biblical Art" Series depicts Noah and his Ark, and the dove. Designed by Gideon Keich.
Coin Description Front Noah releasing a dove, a background of clouds behind a rainbow. Reverse The denomination "1, 2 or 10" with "New Sheqel" or "New Sheqalim". A dove carrying an olive branch. The State emblem at the top. "Israel" in Hebrew, English and Arabic. The year of issue 5758/1998 and the inscription, "NOAH'S ARK. GEN. CHAPS. 6-9" in Hebrew and English. The proof-like silver coin is mintmarked with a 6 pointed star at the bottom. The proof coins are mintmarked with a Hebrew 'mem'. NIS-New Israel Sheqalim
Actual gold weight: 1/2 oz. encapsulated and housed in a custom display box from the Bank of Israel
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