Israel 1990 "Sea of Galilee" 1 New Sheqel Silver Proof Coin, KM# 210

Description

Israel 1990 "Holy Land Sites -- Sea of Galilee"
1 New Sheqel Silver Proof Coin, KM# 210
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 one of the Christian holy places in the Holy Land which have a special religious significance to Christians, usually by association with Jesus or other persons mentioned in the Bible. The identification of the Christian holy sites became of increased importance especially from around the time of Constantine the Great of the Roman Empire. Interest was also strong during Emperor Charlemagne, as was also the case during the Crusades, when Christian pilgrims often sought out holy places in the Outremer, especially in early 12th century immediately after the capture of Jerusalem.
The Sea Galilee is one of the most beautiful spots in Israel. It stretches from the hills of Galilee in the west to the Golan Heights in the east. The Sea of Galilee is important in Christian tradition as the location of Capernaum and the Mount of Beatitudes. Its other names are: the Lake of Tiberias, after the city on its shore, and Kinneret because of its lyre (kinnor in Hebrew) shape, or, according to some, because the sound of its waves are as pleasing as the sound of the lyre. In the division of the land among the 12 Tribes of Israel, the Sea of Galilee lay in the territory of the Tribe of Naftali. Legend states that the waters of the Jordan River and of the Sea of Galilee do not mingle when they meet, a "wonder" of the Land of Israel.
This proof coin was made at the Mint in Stuttgart, Germany. 4,735 of these proof coins were made. The coin is mounted in a plastic capsule 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 dodecagonal (12-sided) and it has reeded (or milled) edges.
This proof coin has a mem ( מ ) near the border and centered under the "1" 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 frosted "1" occupying the upper right third of the coin. The state emblem is located to the left of the center of the "1". On the left side, by the border, is "Israel 1990".
The reverse side of the coin has an aerial view of the Sea of Galilee and archaeological finds from the vicinity - a coin of the city of Tiberias (2nd century C.E.); a portion of the zodiac mosaic from the synagogue at Hamat Tiberias (3rd-4th century C.E.); a stone relief from Capernaum (3rd-4th century C.E.); and a portion of a mosaic from Kursi. The words "Sea of Galilee" are inscribed in English and "Kinneret" in Hebrew.
This is a frosted proof coin. Please see the photos. The silver color of the coin may show as black in the scanned images. The photo images may provide a better indication of the actual color. Because all the images were taken through the plastic case, any dirt or distortion is due to the case and is not on the coin. The coin has never been removed from the plastic capsule or the case.