Quick Coinage Facts
Years Minted: 1960-1980
Number of Types: 4
Composition: Type 1 - Copper 92%, Aluminum 6%, Nickel 2%
Type 2 – Copper/Nickel
Type 3 – Aluminum
Type 4 - Copper/Nickel
Diameter: 17.5 mm
Weight: Types 1,2, & 4 – 2.3 grams
Type 3 – 0.770 grams
Total Mintage: 241,711,510 (circulation)
Edge: Smooth
Introduction
After the government decided to change the division of the Israel pound (or Lira) from 1,000 prutot to 100 agorot, the new coins were put into circulation starting January 1, 1960. The name "agora" was taken from 1 Sam. 2:36.
The coin was ceased to be recognized as legal tender February 22, 1980.
Design
The obverse was designed by Rothschild and Lippman. The obverse design was based on a carving in a frieze found in an ancient synagogue at Capernaum and features three ripe pomegranates as well as the word “Israel” in both Hebrew and Arabic.
The reverse was designed by Shamir Brothers. The reverse design features the denomination "5 Agorot" and the date in Hebrew.
| Obverse (Copper/Alum) | Reverse (Copper/Alum) |
|---|---|
| |
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| Obverse | Reverse |
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Types
Type 1 - Coins were made of a Copper - Aluminum composition (1960-1977 issues)
Type 2 - Coins were made of Copper - Nickel composition(1974-1979 issues)
Type 3 - Coins were made of Aluminum (1976-1979 issues)
Type 4 - One year type coin to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the Bank of Israel
General Market Notes
The key to the series is the 1964 issue with a mintage of only 21,000