-
Inventory:
1 In Stock
- Product ID: 57043
Checkout
The Israel 10 Lirot 1977 KM#91.3 Proof coin, known as the "Jerusalem Hanukka Lamp (Closed Mem)," is a particularly significant issue in the Israeli commemorative coin series, especially within the context of Jewish ceremonial traditions. Part of the annual Hanukka Lamp series initiated by the Israel Government Coins and Medals Corporation, this coin features a design dedicated to a traditional Hanukkah menorah, emblematic of the Jewish Festival of Lights. The 1977 edition stands out not only for its religious and artistic merit but also due to a notable Hebrew die variety involving the final letter "mem" in the word “Jerusalem,” where the closed version of the letter appears. This detail gives rise to the KM#91.3 designation and adds further collector interest to the coin.
The Hanukka Lamp series began in 1971 with the intent of celebrating the diversity and craftsmanship of Jewish ceremonial art, particularly the various historic menorahs found throughout the diaspora and Israel. The 1977 coin features a Hanukkah lamp of Jerusalem origin, designed in a stylized, modern interpretation while maintaining the core symbolism of the nine-branched menorah used during the festival. Hanukkah commemorates the rededication of the Second Temple and the miracle of the oil that lasted eight days, and the menorah has become a central image in both religious observance and Jewish identity. This coin honors that tradition while contributing to Israel’s growing body of numismatic art.
The obverse of the coin presents the image of a traditional Hanukka lamp, likely inspired by an actual artifact, stylized in a clean, symmetrical design with flaring branches. Above and to the left of the lamp is the word “Hanukka” in Hebrew, and to the right is the word “Jerusalem” (Yerushalayim), which includes the closed “mem” at the end—a typographical anomaly in the series. This closed mem variety was the result of a die preparation oversight, and it quickly became a key variety once collectors recognized the difference. Below the lamp is the official emblem of the State of Israel, consisting of a menorah flanked by olive branches and the word “Israel” in Hebrew beneath it.
The reverse of the coin carries a minimalistic and dignified design, featuring the denomination “10 Lirot” in Hebrew and English, along with the issue year “1977” and the Hebrew calendar equivalent “5738.” The word “Israel” is presented in Hebrew, English, and Arabic, reflecting the trilingual standard of modern Israeli coinage. This side also emphasizes the formality of the issue, with simple but authoritative typography that gives the coin gravitas and balance. In contrast to the intricate ceremonial art on the obverse, the reverse underscores the coin’s status as an official issue from the State of Israel, reinforcing its legal tender status and collectible purpose.
This coin was struck by the Israel Government Mint in Proof quality, with a high degree of care to achieve a mirror-like finish. Proof coins such as the KM#91.3 were struck using specially prepared dies and polished planchets to produce sharp relief against deeply reflective fields. The Jerusalem Mint was well-regarded during this era for the quality of its numismatic products, and the 1977 Hanukka Lamp Proof is no exception. The artistry of the dies, combined with careful quality control, ensured that the coins displayed a high level of visual contrast between frosted design elements and brilliant backgrounds, producing the “cameo” effect highly prized by collectors.
Struck in .900 fine silver, the 1977 10 Lirot Hanukka Lamp (Closed Mem) coin weighs 26 grams and measures 37 millimeters in diameter. It contains 0.7523 troy ounces of pure silver. These specifications match the broader series of Israeli commemorative silver coins of the era and provide both intrinsic metal value and collectible appeal. The coin has a smooth edge, as was typical for Israeli commemoratives during this period. Its weight and diameter give it a substantial physical presence, and in Proof condition, the combination of polished surfaces and silver brightness makes it particularly eye-catching when viewed under light.
The mintage of the 1977 Jerusalem Hanukka Lamp coin in the standard Proof format (KM#91) totaled 44,531 coins. However, the KM#91.3 variety, which features the rare closed final “mem,” was struck in far more limited numbers. Though exact figures for this die variety are not always listed separately in official mintage documents, collector consensus and marketplace data suggest that the closed mem variety is significantly scarcer than the regular open mem version. The rarity of the variety, combined with its aesthetic appeal and religious significance, has led to sustained demand among collectors who seek die varieties and limited-issue commemoratives.
Coins in KM#91.3 Proof condition typically grade highly, as most were preserved in their original mint-issued capsules or presentation cases. Well-preserved examples will show deeply mirrored fields and frosted devices with minimal signs of haze, milk spots, or handling. Graded examples from professional services such as NGC or PCGS often earn designations of PF67 to PF69, although perfect PF70 examples are relatively scarce. Because of its silver content and religious theme, the coin is also popular among those who collect Judaica and ceremonial art pieces, increasing the pool of interested buyers and pushing demand higher for high-grade examples.
One of the distinguishing features of this coin is the closed “mem” die variety, which occurs in the Hebrew word “Yerushalayim” (Jerusalem). In standard Hebrew orthography, the final form of the letter mem should be closed, but some versions of this coin mistakenly employed an open mem, leading to KM#91.2, while KM#91.3 correctly reflects the closed version. This small typographic difference creates significant numismatic value, as the closed mem version aligns with proper Hebrew spelling, yet both types are actively collected. The recognition of this die variety in the Standard Catalog of World Coins under its own KM number affirms its legitimacy and importance within the series.
Collectors of Israeli coins, Jewish ceremonial art, or Proof silver issues from around the world find the 1977 Jerusalem Hanukka Lamp KM#91.3 especially desirable. It represents the convergence of religious tradition, artistic craftsmanship, and minting excellence. The annual Hanukka Lamp series as a whole has become one of the most cherished modern Jewish coin series, and this particular issue stands out due to the closed mem variety and its beautiful preservation in Proof format. It holds a special place in type sets, thematic Judaica collections, and silver commemorative portfolios alike.
The 1977 Israel 10 Lirot Jerusalem Hanukka Lamp (Closed Mem) KM#91.3 Proof silver coin remains a distinctive and meaningful piece in modern numismatics. It offers beauty, history, and subtle intricacy in the form of a typographic anomaly, making it a coin that appeals to both traditional collectors and scholars of Hebrew numismatic details. With its combination of rarity, visual appeal, religious symbolism, and die variety intrigue, it continues to be a cornerstone item in the study and collection of Israeli commemorative coinage.