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The Israel 10 Lirot 1973 commemorative coin, cataloged as KM#71, was issued to honor the 25th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, one of the most significant milestones in modern Jewish and Middle Eastern history. Struck in Proof condition and composed of .900 fine silver, this coin reflects the young nation’s celebration of its founding and pays tribute to the proclamation made on May 14, 1948, by David Ben-Gurion in Tel Aviv. This coin was part of a broader commemorative program developed by the Israel Government Coins and Medals Corporation, designed to emphasize themes of national pride, historical continuity, and democratic sovereignty. As a Proof issue, this 10 Lirot coin features a high degree of craftsmanship, with sharp detail and deep mirrored fields that enhance its symbolic power and visual appeal.
The obverse of the coin displays the official emblem of the State of Israel: a stylized seven-branched menorah flanked by olive branches, signifying light, tradition, and peace. Above the menorah, the word “ישראל” (Israel) appears in bold Hebrew script. The design is deeply struck with crisp relief and frosted detail, which contrasts beautifully against the mirrored background of the Proof finish. This design anchors the coin in national identity, serving as a recurring visual motif in Israeli coinage and an emblem of the state’s enduring values. The craftsmanship in the rendering of the menorah and olive branches on this coin is particularly elegant in Proof format, with well-defined lines and exceptional clarity even in the smallest elements.
The reverse of the coin features a powerful and historically resonant design: the opening lines of Israel’s Declaration of Independence, in both Hebrew and English, arrayed in vertical columns. These lines include the phrase, “ERETZ-ISRAEL was the birthplace of the Jewish people,” emphasizing the ancestral and historical connection of the Jewish people to the land. A stylized scroll in the center, unrolling downward, symbolizes the proclamation document itself. Behind the scroll is a Star of David, and at the base of the design is the date “1973” in both Gregorian and Hebrew calendar formats (“תשל"ג”). Below that is the denomination “10 לירות ישראליות” (10 Israeli Lirot). The layout is formal yet artistic, emphasizing the gravity of the declaration while employing a minimalist aesthetic that suits the coin’s reflective tone.
The coin is struck from 0.900 fine silver, weighs 26 grams, and has a diameter of 37 millimeters. Its edge is smooth, and in its Proof format, the coin exhibits exceptional clarity with deeply reflective fields and frosted, raised elements. The strike quality is superb, as is expected from the Proof standard, with each line of text and every component of the scroll and Star of David rendered with sharpness and precision. In high-grade examples, such as PF68 or above, the surfaces remain flawless, free from hairlines, milk spots, or haze. The mirror-like background provides a beautiful contrast to the matte-finished elements, creating an elegant, almost ethereal effect when viewed under direct light.
Approximately 5,408 Proof specimens were minted, making this coin a relatively low-mintage collectible among Israeli silver commemoratives. The coins were distributed in official presentation boxes and were marketed to collectors both in Israel and abroad, especially within Jewish communities that celebrated Israel's founding as a monumental event in Jewish history. The low mintage, high quality, and historically important theme contribute to the coin’s strong desirability among collectors of Judaica, modern commemorative silver, and 20th-century nation-building coinage. As an early example of Israel’s expanding commemorative coin program, this piece is an essential component of any complete collection of Israeli Proof silver coins.
The historical importance of the subject matter cannot be overstated. Israel’s Declaration of Independence in 1948 marked the culmination of a decades-long struggle for Jewish self-determination, which gained international legitimacy following the horrors of the Holocaust. The document itself was read aloud in the Tel Aviv Museum in the presence of national leaders and dignitaries and declared the establishment of a Jewish state in the land of Israel. By choosing to commemorate this document 25 years later, Israel reinforced its foundational values: democracy, historical legitimacy, and the integration of Jewish tradition with modern statehood. The coin serves as a physical reminder of that historic day and the enduring promise of the Jewish homeland.
Artistically, the coin’s reverse design effectively balances textual and symbolic elements. The vertical alignment of the English and Hebrew texts gives the coin a solemn symmetry, while the scroll in the center acts as a bridge between tradition and modernity. The Star of David in the background is subtly integrated but central to the overall composition, reinforcing the theme of Jewish identity. The design is credited to the artist Rothschild-Cohen, whose contributions to early Israeli coinage reflect a strong commitment to cultural expression and national storytelling through numismatic design. In Proof condition, the scroll’s parchment texture and the text’s delicate etching are particularly vivid and clear.
Condition is critical for collectors of this coin, especially due to the large flat surfaces of the fields, which are prone to marks and spotting if mishandled. Proof specimens must be carefully stored to avoid tarnish and contamination. High-grade encapsulated examples from leading grading services such as NGC or PCGS offer both security and added value. Collectors prize deep cameo (DCAM) or ultra cameo (UC) variants, where the contrast between mirrored fields and frosted design elements is especially pronounced. In such condition, the coin transcends mere historical commemoration and becomes an object of true visual beauty and technical excellence.
The 10 Lirot Declaration of Independence coin also holds appeal beyond traditional numismatics. For many, it is a piece of living history, directly tied to a pivotal document in Jewish and Middle Eastern political development. As such, it is often sought by museums, educators, and private collectors seeking tangible representations of Israel’s birth. It has also become a popular gift for anniversaries, bar mitzvahs, and national observances, making it a coin with emotional and cultural as well as numismatic significance. Its continued relevance, more than half a century after its issuance, speaks to the enduring power of the moment it commemorates.
In conclusion, the Israel 10 Lirot 1973 Declaration of Independence coin (KM#71) in Proof condition is a beautifully crafted, historically charged, and low-mintage commemorative issue that stands as a tribute to the founding of the modern State of Israel. Its elegant design, silver composition, and flawless Proof finish make it a standout example of Israel’s mid-20th-century numismatic artistry. With strong appeal among collectors of Judaica, Israeli coinage, and world silver commemoratives, this coin continues to be a meaningful and aesthetically compelling addition to any serious collection. It represents not only the birth of a nation but the principles and hopes on which that nation was founded.