Israel (1979) 5 lirot
This specimen was lot 73845 in Stack's Bowers Collector's Choice sale (Costa Mesa, CA, February 2023), where it sold for $40. The catalog description[1] noted, "ISRAEL. 5 Lirot, 1979. Jerusalem Mint. NGC MS-65. Variety with Star of David. A more elusive date in the series, with nice Gem preservation and very little to fault on the surfaces." Rapid inflation destroyed the value of the 1949 series and the coinage was reformed in 1960 to 100 agorot = one lira. This design was used 1978-79 only but is common. Inflation forced the government to reform the coinage in 1980 and again in 1985.
Recorded mintage: 5,646,426 at Jerusalem plus 32,000,000 from Canberra plus 31,590 for sets.
Specification: 11.2 g, copper-nickel, 30 mm diameter.
Catalog reference: KM-90a.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1901-2000, 47th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- [1]Orsini, Matt, Kyle Ponterio and Jeremy Bostwick, February 2023 World Collectors Choice Online Auction, featuring the David Sterling Collection, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers Galleries, Inc., 2023.
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