Israel 1988 "Independence Day" 1 New Sheqel BU Silver Coin, KM# 185

Description

Israel 1988 "Independence Day"
1 New Sheqel BU Silver Coin, KM# 185
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 commemorates the 40th anniversary of Israel independence. 8,990 of these uncirculated coins were made. The coin is mounted in a black cardboard holder. The holder basically acts as the certificate because of the information printed on the holder. The holder is in a clear plastic case. The case is 2-1/2" square and about 1/4" thick. The coin is round and it has a plain (smooth) edge.
This coin has a Star of David ( ✡ ) below the state emblem on the obverse side. It is made of 0.850 fine silver, and it weighs 14.4 grams. It is 30mm in diameter.
The obverse side of the coin has a large, stylized "1" extending from the upper border to the lower border of the coin. The Israel State emblem is at the left of the "1" and centered vertically. The issue year, "1988", is on the right side and by the border.
The reverse side of the coin has a large, stylized "40" occupying all of the central part coin. Inset into the "40" is a view of a seated government.
This is a brilliant uncirculated 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. The images were taken with the coin and holder inside the plastic case. Any dirt or distortion is due to the case and isn't on the coin.
There is some toning all around the edges of the coin, and it is more evident on the obverse side of the coin.