Is Your Israeli Coin Authentic? Expert Guide to Authentication

Historical Significance

The birth of the first Jewish state in nearly 2,000 years—a dream realized after generations of aspiration—is a momentous historical event celebrated in coinage. Israeli coins represent a unique fusion of ancient heritage and modern statehood, with designs that often draw inspiration from historical Jewish artifacts and symbols.

Understanding the Authentication Challenge

With counterfeits flooding the market, knowing the specific diagnostic points for Israeli coins is critical. The market has seen an influx of fake Israeli coins, particularly targeting the more valuable commemorative issues and older circulation pieces. Authentication requires a systematic approach focusing on multiple factors.

Weight Verification

Weight is one of the most reliable initial authentication tests. Authentic Israeli coins have precise specifications that counterfeiters often struggle to replicate exactly. For example, a genuine 1949 25 Mils coin (aluminum) should weigh approximately 1.5 grams. Deviations of more than 0.1 grams from the standard weight are strong indicators of a counterfeit. Always use a calibrated digital scale that measures to at least 0.01 grams for accurate results.

Magnetic Properties Testing

Testing magnetic properties can quickly eliminate many fakes. Most authentic Israeli circulation coins are non-magnetic, being struck in aluminum, copper-nickel, or silver. A simple magnet test can reveal counterfeits made with magnetic steel cores or other magnetic materials. However, be aware that some modern Israeli commemorative coins contain iron or steel components, so research the specific composition of the coin you’re examining before drawing conclusions.

Die Markers and Design Details

Die markers are subtle design elements that vary between genuine dies and are extremely difficult for counterfeiters to replicate accurately. For Israeli coins, pay particular attention to:

• The sharpness and definition of Hebrew lettering – authentic coins show crisp, well-defined characters
• The texture and depth of relief in design elements like grape bunches or olive branches
• The edge reeding or lettering, which should be consistent and well-executed
• Surface luster and strike quality, which varies by mint and year

Many counterfeits show telltale signs like mushy details, inconsistent spacing between design elements, or unnatural surface texture.

Common Fakes to Watch For

Several Israeli coins are particularly targeted by counterfeiters:

The 1949 25 Mils war of independence issue (40K or so issued, aluminum metal) which presents quite a challenge to find in MS. This coin is frequently faked due to its historical significance and relative scarcity in high grades.

Other commonly counterfeited pieces include silver commemorative coins from the 1960s-1980s, particularly those with biblical themes or wildlife designs. The Biblical Art Series coins, including the Elisha and the Chariot and Splitting of the Red Sea designs, have been heavily targeted due to their artistic appeal and higher values.

Professional Testing Methods

For high-value coins, consider these professional authentication methods:

• Specific gravity testing – determines metal composition by measuring density
• XRF analysis – uses X-ray fluorescence to identify exact metal content
• Microscopic examination – reveals die wear patterns and tooling marks
• Professional grading services – PCGS, NGC, and other reputable services provide authentication and grading

Understanding Israeli Coin Series

Israeli coinage has given collectors grief while trying to build sets due to several factors. One aspect that gets many collectors is the sheer amount of mints that contributed to making the nation’s coins, yet none included mintmarks or privy marks to distinguish who made what. This makes authentication more challenging as you cannot rely on mint-specific characteristics.

Many early Israeli coins were designed from several ancient sources, but the symbolism of the grapes are from the Spies. The grape leaf designs on 50 prutot coins, for example, are derived from the design of a bronze prutah of the First Revolt period (66-70 AD). Understanding these historical connections helps in authentication as genuine coins will show appropriate wear patterns consistent with their age and composition.

Value Guide and Market Considerations

Israeli coins occupy a collecting niche with several barriers to overcome. First, some people who might normally collect world coins would refuse to collect Israeli coins simply for ideological reasons. Second, there is the language barrier – Israeli coins rarely have English on them, and even the date is difficult to work out because it’s written in Hebrew numerals using the Hebrew calendar.

Finally, there’s the art style. Israeli coins have a very specific and unique art style, driven in part by Orthodox Jewish religious sensitivity (the prohibition against “graven images” means that images of people and animals rarely feature). The art style of the Israel Coins and Medals Corporation and the Israeli Mint are simply not to everyone’s taste.

Investment Considerations

In the 1960-80s, Israel tried to bring in foreign money by marketing expensive precious metal NCLT commemoratives to wealthy Jews worldwide. Very much like the Franklin Mint, many fell for it out of patriotism and altruism. There is literally zero interest in that NCLT now or then (for all the reasons stated above). The only thing that saved those “investors” was the rise of PMs (if they waited long enough and didn’t die in the meantime).

However, certain series have proven to have long value and interest, including the Biblical Arts coins, wildlife coins, and many of the city designs. These sell out and are hard to find. Bullion sells well, and many Jewish people believe in having precious metals and jewels, stemming from historical experiences of using concealed precious metals and diamonds to bribe their way to freedom.

Conclusion

Israeli coins represent a fascinating collecting area that combines ancient symbolism with modern statehood. While they face several barriers to widespread popularity – including ideological objections, language barriers, and unique artistic styles – they offer rich historical connections and potential for discovery. For collectors and investors, understanding authentication techniques is essential, particularly given the prevalence of counterfeits in the market. By focusing on weight, magnetic properties, die markers, and using professional testing methods when necessary, collectors can build authentic and valuable collections of these underappreciated gems of historical coins.

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