Y/ . ,
by Simon Griver
Numismatism, or in layman's language
coin collecting, is now a billion dollar world-
wide industry-coin crazy commemorative
medals, as well as the traditional coins of
currency.
Israel has successfully carved for herself
a lucrative share of this fast expanding
market. The Israel Government Coins and
Medals Corporation has for the past 20
Years been minting medals that commemo-
rate a wide range of events, places, people
and institutions. In addition, the Bank of
Israel issues annually special silver coins to
mark Chanukah and Independence Day.
"The medals serve as important media
for communicating about Israel, its history,
culture and achievements, to both Jewish
:and non-Jewish people in all parts of the
Western world," observes Eliezer Shiloni,
the Director General of the Israel Govern-
ment Coins and Medals Corporation.
The medals and coins are minted in
silver, bronze and sometimes gold. Millions
Israeli Coins and Medals
Worth Their Weight in Gold
Opening August, 1980. Visit us,.watch
us grow and get to know The Home. Call
Bill Goldsmith--420-2512--for infor-
mation.
Applications for admission are now
being accepted. THERE IS PLENTY
OF SPACE AVAILABLE. Please call
9ur social worker, Mrs. Janet Schiff at
The Home, 420-2512.
of them are sold each year. Half of them to
Americans, 10% to Europeans and the rest
are snapped up by Israelis themselves. The
Corporation has 100,000 subscribers who
receive a discount on all their purchases.
These people are avid collectors, who buy
at least one copy of each of the dozen or so
coins that are minted each year.
On average a bronze coin sells for $7, a
silver one $90, while a gold coin weighs in
a rather expensive $400. All the same there
are thousands of Israelis who buy every
coin, including the several that are issued
each year in gold.
While half of the market is cornered by
these hardened collectors, the other half
comprises the souvenir buyers. These of
course include tourists, as well as local
people buying the odd gift. In this vein the
Bar-Mitzvah and Wedding medals are par-
ticularly popular.
"Collecting these medals and coins is in
many ways similar to collecting stamps,"
explains Aviva Blum, the Advertising Man-
ager of the Israel Government Coins and
Medals Corporation. "Already there are
two weekly newspapers in America that
cater to the interests of the numismatist
But while stamps, however valuable, are
just pieces of paper and many coins are
only faded lumps of metal, commemorative
medals are artistically designed and attrac-
tive."
Indeed, the medals are also literally
worth their weight in gold. Any medal
contains 90% of the relevant mineral. Yet
the recent surges and slumps of gold and
silver on the w)rld market has in no way
effected sales of the medals. Despite the
fact that the value of the medals is inextric-
ably linked to the prices of gold and silver,
speculators seem to steer clear of the
commodity, leavin them as the preserve of
collectors.
Three Israeli commemorative medals." At left, "Illegal At(yah" showing a small
overcrowded ship carrying European Jews to Eretz Yisrael after World War lI In
the center, the Entebbe Operation of1976 and at right, mass immigration to Israel.
(World Zionist Press Service photo by David Halpern.
Over the years the medals issued have
included a multitude of Jewish and Israeli
themes. There are medals that bear the
heads of Herzl and Weizmann; that depict
places like Massada and the Knesset; that
celebrate such victories and achievements
as the Six Day War and the Entebbe raid;
that recall the suffering of the Holocaust
and the plight of Soviet Jewry; that reflect
institutions like E1 Al and the Hebrew
University.
A complete collection Containsnot only a
gallery of Jewish and Israeli history but also
some Christian themes. Medals like the one
commemorating 'Terra Sancta' are favorites
of non-Jewish buyers.
It is worth noting that the recent currency
change over to the Shekel was anticipated
in modern Israel as long ago as 1961 by the
issue of a commemorative half Shekel coin.
Perhaps the most important aspect is
that the profits made by the government
owned coin and medal corporation, rather
than lining the pockets of enterprising
businessmen are earmarked to fund the
restoration of ancient monuments and ar-
chaelogical research. Appropriately, the
coins and medals enrich the culture that
they depict.
NEXT DEADLINE
(Aug. 29th Issue)
WEDNESDAY NOON
AUG. 20TH
(All material must be typed and is subject to
editin In the event space is limited, articles
published will be determined by time element
involved.)
How wonderful it is when people live and celebrate together as one.
... Psalms
Announcing an important experience.
• . . a traditional Sabbath
S
September 5 - 7, 1980
in a
Williamsburg Hilton Inn
and
National Conference Center
traditional city
The Young Adult Division
enthusiastically invites you
to three days (and two nights)
of sociability, song, study,
s'udot (meals) and services
in celebration of the Sabbath
preceding the High Holy Days
Kingsmill-on-the -James
Williamsburg, Virginia
our Scholar-in-Residence
DR. DOV PERETZ ELKINS
UNITED JEWISH FEDERATION
OF NORFOLK AND VIRGINIA BEACH
t
I First and last name(s) of person(s}
registering on this coupon
I
........................................................ o*., ........ ,.,
I
................................................................ .* ..... ,
I
I Address .......................
I Phone ........................
I
Enclosed is a check made payable to
the UNITED JEWISH FEDERATION
1 in the amount of .........
I the full Bill of Fare of $75 per person
i registered above.
I
I Desdline for roliotralion=
Aug. 20
I
