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The Israel 5 Lirot 1973 KM#75.1 silver coin commemorates the theme of Hanukkah through the depiction of a Babylonian Hanukka lamp, combining Jewish religious heritage with the artistic and archaeological traditions preserved in modern Israel. Issued by the Israel Government Coins and Medals Corporation, this coin is part of a celebrated annual series that honors Jewish ceremonial art and Judaica. Struck in .900 fine silver and presented in Uncirculated (UNC) condition, the coin represents both the spiritual symbolism of the Hanukkah festival and Israel’s commitment to preserving the material history of the Jewish people. As part of the broader Hanukka Lamp coin series, the 1973 edition stands out for its specific historical focus on Babylonian Jewish communities and their distinctive lamp designs.
Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Lights, commemorates the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem following the Maccabean Revolt against the Seleucid Empire. The central ritual of Hanukkah involves lighting the menorah or Hanukkiah—an eight-branched lamp with a ninth "shamash" (helper) candle—each night for eight days. Over the centuries, Jewish communities around the world developed unique interpretations of this sacred object, reflecting local art, culture, and resources. The 1973 coin celebrates the Babylonian Hanukka lamp, a type used by Jewish communities in what is now Iraq, offering both archaeological and cultural insight into Jewish life in the Middle East during late antiquity and medieval periods.
The obverse of the coin features the emblem of the State of Israel—a stylized seven-branched Menorah flanked by olive branches. Above the emblem is the word "Israel" rendered in three languages: Hebrew, English, and Arabic, demonstrating the trilingual approach used in official Israeli coinage to reflect the nation’s diverse linguistic landscape. Below the emblem appears the Hebrew calendar year תש"ל (5733), which corresponds to 1973, along with the denomination "5 לירות" (5 Lirot) in Hebrew. The design is formal and balanced, allowing the state emblem to anchor the coin’s national identity. In UNC condition, all elements remain sharply struck, the rim is clean and well-defined, and the surface retains a bright, original mint luster.
The reverse features a beautiful and detailed depiction of a Babylonian-style Hanukka lamp. This lamp is characterized by its rounded body and distinct spout where the wick would be placed. The engraved representation likely draws from an actual archaeological example held in a museum or private collection, faithfully illustrating the utilitarian yet sacred design of this ancient ritual object. Above the image is the Hebrew inscription “מנורת חנוכה – בבל” translating to “Hanukkah Lamp – Babylon,” while the English inscription below reads the same. The rendering of the lamp is finely detailed, with depth and dimension captured in the engraving, especially evident in UNC specimens where the frosted relief contrasts crisply with the mirrored fields.
This silver commemorative was minted with a purity of 90% silver (0.900 fineness), weighs 28.8 grams, and has a diameter of 38.5 millimeters. It conforms to the dimensions and specifications of other 5 Lirot commemoratives issued in the early 1970s. The edge is smooth, setting it apart from reeded-edge circulating coins and reinforcing its commemorative and non-circulating legal tender status. The coin was issued for collectors rather than for public commerce, and it was typically distributed in original government packaging, including presentation cases or capsules, sometimes accompanied by a certificate of authenticity and explanatory brochure on the lamp’s historical significance.
The mintage of the 1973 5 Lirot Babylonian Hanukka Lamp silver coin was relatively limited, with production estimated at around 30,000 to 40,000 pieces. Given the coin’s purpose as a collector's item, most examples were carefully preserved by buyers, and many remain in high grades today. Nevertheless, true UNC examples—free from bag marks, hairlines, or edge nicks—remain desirable, especially among those assembling full sets of Hanukkah Lamp coins. The series continued annually for many years, each coin highlighting a lamp from a different Jewish diaspora community, making this coin not only a standalone piece of Judaic art but also an essential part of a broader thematic collection.
Uncirculated specimens of the 1973 Babylonian Hanukka Lamp coin exhibit no signs of wear or handling. The strike is full and even, especially important in capturing the delicate engraving of the lamp’s contours. The fields are clean and free from contact marks, and the coin’s original mint sheen gives it a radiant, frosty finish. Coins stored properly in their original capsules retain brilliant surfaces, while those exposed to air may develop light toning, which can range from golden to violet hues and is often viewed as an enhancement to the coin’s aesthetic. Graded examples typically fall into the MS64–MS66 range depending on strike quality and preservation.
Historically, the Babylonian Jewish community was one of the oldest and most significant in the Jewish diaspora, dating back to the 6th century BCE following the Babylonian Exile. It flourished under Persian, Islamic, and Ottoman rule and made major contributions to Jewish law, culture, and scholarship. Commemorating this legacy on a Hanukka coin not only honors the festival itself but also celebrates the endurance and creativity of one of the most important Jewish communities in history. The Babylonian Hanukka lamp featured on this coin is a tangible connection to that legacy, reinforcing Israel’s broader efforts to preserve and celebrate Jewish life from across the globe.
Numismatically, the 1973 Israel 5 Lirot KM#75.1 silver coin appeals to collectors of Judaica, world silver coins, and religious-themed numismatics. It represents a successful marriage of cultural commemoration and fine minting, characteristic of Israel’s coinage program in the 1960s and 1970s. Collectors pursuing the complete Hanukkah Lamp series will find this piece a key acquisition, especially when matched with its counterparts from Yemen, Poland, North Africa, and other regions represented in subsequent years. Its meaningful subject matter, artistry, and limited mintage ensure its continued desirability in the market.
In summary, the Israel 5 Lirot 1973 KM#75.1 silver coin featuring the Babylonian Hanukka lamp is a beautifully struck commemorative rich in religious, historical, and cultural significance. Its depiction of a sacred object from a once-thriving diaspora community, combined with high-quality minting and preservation in Uncirculated condition, makes it a standout issue in Israeli numismatics. It connects the modern state with its ancient past, lighting the way—much like the lamp it honors—for understanding, identity, and remembrance.