5 Sheqalim Gold Coin
The following images show a Qumran, Israel Commemorative 5 Sheqalim Gold Coin dated 1982/5743. 5743 is the date in the Hebrew calendar. For reference to size, an American nickel is placed next to the front side of the sheqalim. The difference between the Qumran commemorative 5 Sheqalim coin from Israel shown below on the left and the Lewis & Clark commemorative Five Cents coin from U.S.A. shown on the right is about $200.00. The Sheqalim coin type is gold/.900 with a diameter of 22 mm and a weight of 8.63 grams.
Front side image of 5 Sheqalim and Nickel
Large back side image of 5 Sheqalim Gold Coin.
In 1982, the Bank of Israel minted 4,927 - 5 Sheqalim gold proof coins to commemorate the finding of the Dead Sea Scrolls within the Qumran Caves in 1947. The Dead Sea Scrolls are the oldest known Biblical manuscripts of the Old Testament.
This 5 Sheqalim is Israel's first issued commemorative coin in the series: "Historic Sites in the Holyland." On the front of the coin and at the bottom, the name of Israel is listed three times: (1) in Hebrew, (2) in Arabic, and (3) in English. There are two dates listed: 1982 and 5743 (in Hebrew).
The Jewish calendar started with the creation of the earth (according to tradition), 3,760 years and 3 months before the beginning of the Christian era. To find the year in the Jewish calendar, one must add 3,760 to the date in the Gregorian calendar; for example, the year 1980 in the Gregorian calendar is the year 5740 (1,980 plus 3,760) according to the Jewish calendar. This system will not work to the exact month because the Jewish year begins in the autumn rather than in midwinter. During the winter of 1982-1983, the Jewish year is 5743.
Did you notice that the 5 Sheqalim coin has the shape of a regular dodecagon (12-sided figure)? No doubt the 12 sides represent the 12 tribes of Israel. Most of the major crosses of both Jewish and Christian faiths are dodecagonal, yet considered irregular dodecagons. Count the sides of a Greek, Latin, or Maltese cross. Also, the outer perimeter of the Star of David has 12 sides.
This 5 Sheqalim is Israel's first issued commemorative coin in the series: "Historic Sites in the Holyland." On the front of the coin and at the bottom, the name of Israel is listed three times: (1) in Hebrew, (2) in Arabic, and (3) in English. There are two dates listed: 1982 and 5743 (in Hebrew).
The Jewish calendar started with the creation of the earth (according to tradition), 3,760 years and 3 months before the beginning of the Christian era. To find the year in the Jewish calendar, one must add 3,760 to the date in the Gregorian calendar; for example, the year 1980 in the Gregorian calendar is the year 5740 (1,980 plus 3,760) according to the Jewish calendar. This system will not work to the exact month because the Jewish year begins in the autumn rather than in midwinter. During the winter of 1982-1983, the Jewish year is 5743.
Did you notice that the 5 Sheqalim coin has the shape of a regular dodecagon (12-sided figure)? No doubt the 12 sides represent the 12 tribes of Israel. Most of the major crosses of both Jewish and Christian faiths are dodecagonal, yet considered irregular dodecagons. Count the sides of a Greek, Latin, or Maltese cross. Also, the outer perimeter of the Star of David has 12 sides.
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