Israel's latest coin taps into the world’s largest renewable energy source.
The Bank of Israel’s newest coin series, announced by the
Israel Mint on May 11, also continues the annual tradition of marking
the nation’s anniversary of founding.
The 2015 coins celebrate Israel’s 67th anniversary and highlight
solar energy developments in Israel. Three coins share the same basic
design, with the denominations varying.
Israel’s abundant sunshine and technological capabilities have
enabled wide development of solar power. The southern desert region of
the country has the highest levels of solar radiation in the world,
according to the Bank of Israel. Derived from sunlight, solar energy
is renewable and clean, and global demand for this form of energy is
constantly growing, the bank notes.
The first commercial solar field in Israel, converting sunlight to
electricity by use of solar panels, was launched in 2011. Today, this
field produces 9 million kilowatt hours per year for the Israel
Electricity Co. At the beginning of 2014, 11 more solar fields were
inaugurated, six of them located in the desert south, according to the bank.
According to the International Energy Agency, solar energy, in the
future, may well become the major source of electricity.
A Prooflike silver 1-new-Israeli-shekel coin, Proof silver 2-NIS
coin and Proof gold 10-NIS coin comprise the 2015 Solar Energy program.
The shared obverse of the coins, designed by Ruben Nutels, shows the
face value, Israel state emblem, the nation’s name in English, Hebrew
and Arabic, INDEPENDENCE DAY 2015 and a decoration representing the
sun and its rays.
Meir Eshel designed the shared reverse, which features the sun
shining directly onto a solar panel, lighting up cells within the
panel that form the shape of a menorah, the seven-branched candelabrum.
The legend SOLAR ENERGY IN ISRAEL in English along with its
parallels in Hebrew and Arabic arc around the right border of the coin.
The .925 fine silver 1-NIS coin weighs 14.4 grams and measures 30
millimeters in diameter. It has a mintage limit of 1,800 pieces and retails for $49.
The .999 fine silver 2-NIS coin weighs 31.1 grams and measures 38.7
millimeters in diameter. It has a mintage limit of 2,800 pieces and retails for $80.
The .917 fine gold 10-NIS coin weighs 16.96 grams and measures 30
millimeters in diameter. It has a mintage limit of 555 pieces and retails for $1,125.
Two sets of the coins are available. A two-coin set of both silver coins costs $125. A
three-coin set of all three denominations is $1,215.
Prices quoted were current at publication but may be subject to
change in concert with the precious metals market.
To learn more about the coins, visit the Israel Mint website.