Quick Coinage Facts
Years Minted: 1949, 1952, 1957
Number of Types: 3
Composition: Type 1 - Copper 95%, Tin 3%, Zinc 2%
Type 2 & 3 - Aluminum 97%, Magnesium 3%
Diameter: Type 1 - 27 mm,
Types 2 & 3 – 24.5 mm
Weight: Type 1 - 6.1 grams
Types 2 & 3 - 1.6 grams
Total Mintage: 41,990,000 (circulation)
Edge: Smooth
Introduction
Following the establishment of the State in 1948, the government of Israel requested the Israel Numismatic Society to propose the designs for a new series of coins. One example from the series is smallest denomination known as the 10 Pruta or 10 Prutot.
The singular form "pruta" instead of the plural "prutot" was erroneously minted on the five- and ten-pruta coins; this was corrected in a later series of the ten-pruta coins, but not the five-pruta. The denomination ceased to be recognized as legal tender February 22, 1980.
Design
The obverse design was based on the Bar-Kochba coin (132 - 135 C.E.) and features a two-handled amphora (type 1 coins). Above & below the design is the word “Israel” in both Hebrew and Arabic. This design would later be changed based on another classic Bar-Kochba (132 - 135 C.E.) coin and features a single-handled jug flanked with palm branches (types 2 & 3 coins).
In 1949, the reverse design features the denomination "10 Pruta" and the date in Hebrew inside two stylized olive branches around the rim (types 1 & 2 coins). In 1957, the reverse would be modified again to change the denomination to “10 Prutot”.
| Obverse | Reverse |
|---|---|
| |
 |
Types
Type 1 - Coins were made of copper (1949 issues)
Type 2 - Coins had their composition changed to aluminum, the basic shape was changed from round to scalloped (1952 issues)
Type 3 - Reverse design was modified to reflect the correct denomination of “10 Prutot”. To differentiate it from 1952 issues, the shape was returned to round. (1957 issues)
| Type 1 | Type 2 (scalloped) | Type 3 |
|---|---|---|
|
 |
 |
Mintages
| Year | Mintage | Proof | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1949 | 14,948,000 | 20,000 | varieties exist as “with pearl” |
| 1952 | 26,042,000 | ||
| 1957 | 1,000,000 |
General Market Notes
With more than 40 million coins produced supply is more than enough to make this an affordable coin. Though the 1949 proof coin with a mintage of only 20,000 is entirely different and can command some high prices.