Israel 1981 "People of the Book" 2 Sheqalim Silver Proof Coin, KM# 112

Description

Israel 1981 "People of the Book"
2 Sheqalim Silver Proof Coin, KM# 112
The Israel Government Coins and Medals Corp. was established in 1958 by Prime Minister Ben Gurion for the purpose of commemorating the historical events and milestones of the State of Israel, as well as its outstanding personalities and achievements in culture, science and art. Until 2008, the Corporation was fully owned by the Government of Israel. During 2008, it was privatized.
Fifteen years after premier Menachem Begin and president Anwar Sadat signed the Egypt-Israel peace treaty under the auspices of U.S. president Jimmy Carter, Israel's Yitzhak Rabin, Jordan's King Hussein and U.S. president Bill Clinton gathered in October 1994 near the adjoining port cities of Eilat and Aqaba to sign the second peace treaty between Israel and one of its Arab neighbors. Prior to Israel- Jordan peace, the relationship between both countries had always been enigmatic. For decades a popular Israeli saying was, that "we don't know which will be the first Arab country to make peace with Israel, but Jordan will be the second." The enigmatic relationship between both nations goes back to 1918, when Emir Feisal, King Hussein's great-grandfather met with Chaim Weismann, resulting in the Feisal-Weizmann agreement of 1919. Later, in early May 1948, days before the outbreak of Israel's war of independence, Golda Meir traveled to Amman to meet King Abdullah, Hussein's grandfather. And during the reign of King Hussein it was common knowledge that the Hashemite monarch met in secret several times with Israeli prime ministers, ministers and other high officials in order to reach peace. After the peace treaty, the relationship between both countries has mostly been positive.
This coin was made at the Royal Canadian Mint, Ottawa, Canada. It commemorates the 33rd anniversary of independence. The coin is in a sealed plastic capsule, which is inserted into an unsealed vinyl pouch attached to a black vinyl case with a closure tab that slides into a loop. The case is 2-1/2" wide, 3-3/8" high and about 5/8" thick. The coin is round and it has a smooth edge with ancient Hebrew lettering that translates to "33 years of the State of Israel". The certificate is in a pocket inside the case.
This proof coin has a mem ( מ ) at the lower center, by the border, on the reverse side. It is made of 0.850 fine silver, and it weighs 28.8 grams. It is 37mm in diameter.
The obverse side of the coin has a large, stylized "2", that occupies most of this side of the coin, to indicate the value. The state emblem is at the left side, "Israel" is near the top, and "1981" is by the right border to indicate the issue year.
The reverse side of the coin has a depiction of an open book, with a flame-shaped set of Hebrew letters forming the flame and above the book.
This is an frosted proof coin. Please see the photos. The silver color of the coin may show as black in the images. The photo images may provide a better indication of the actual color. Because all the images were taken through the plastic pouch/capsule, any dirt or distortion is due to the pouch/capsule and is not on the coin. The coin has never been removed from the sealed capsule or the pouch. There does not appear to be any toning/tarnish or other defects.