Lion & Menorah Israel 1/2 Sheqel "Seal of Shema" Authentic Coin Charm for Jewelry and Craft Making (Shekel)
Obverse: Roaring Lion. This image comes from the famous archaeological find, the signet-ring "Seal of Shema, Servant of Jeroboam".
Above the lion, Menorah flanked by olive branches.
Lettering: إسرائيل ISRAEL
ישראל
Translation: Israel
Reverse: Coin value, flanked by stars and mint-year.
שקל
תשמ׳׳א
Translation: 1/2 Shekel 5741 (1981)
(n.b. --Date here is an example; actual dates on coins vary 1980-1984)
Coin's metal is copper/nickel alloy
Features
Issuer Israel
Period State of Israel (1948-date)
Type Standard circulation coin
Years 5740-5745 (1980-1985)
Calendar Hebrew
Value 1/2 Sheqel (1/2 ILR)
Currency Old Shekel (1980-1985)
Composition Copper-nickel
Weight 3 g
Diameter 20 mm
Thickness 1.34 mm
Shape Round
Technique Milled
Orientation Medal alignment ↑↑
Demonetized 28 February 1985
Number N# 1721
References KM# 109, Schön# 101
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Seal of Shema information:
In 1903, in the ruins of the biblical city of Meggido, an archaeologist found a seal made of jasper, engraved with the following inscription:
"SHEMA SERVANT OF JEROBOAM"
The seal belonged to a servant of one of the early kings of Israel, either Jeroboam I who ruled shortly after the reign of king Solomon, or Jeroboam II who ruled at the time of Jonah the prophet.
http://www.biblehistory.net/newsletter/jeroboam.htm
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Wikipedia:
The menorah (/məˈnɔːrə/; Hebrew: מְנוֹרָה [menoˈʁa]) is described in the Bible as the seven-lamp (six branches) ancient Hebrew lampstand made of pure gold and used in the tabernacle set up by Moses in the wilderness and later in the Temple in Jerusalem. Fresh olive oil was burned daily to light its lamps. The menorah was a symbol of both Judaism and Christianity since antiquity; in modern times it is considered solely a symbol of Judaism and is the emblem on the coat of arms of the modern state of Israel.
The menorah symbolized the ideal of universal enlightenment. The idea that the menorah symbolizes wisdom is noted in the Talmud, for example, in the following: "Rabbi Isaac said: He who desires to become wise should incline to the south [when praying]. The symbol [by which to remember this] is that… the Menorah was on the southern side [of the Temple]."
The seven lamps allude to the branches of human knowledge, represented by the six lamps inclined inwards towards, and symbolically guided by, the light of God represented by the central lamp. The menorah also symbolizes the creation in seven days, with the center light representing the Sabbath.
