-
Inventory:
1 In Stock
- Product ID: 37367
Checkout
The Palestine 100 mils 1935 KM#7 coin is a significant numismatic artifact issued under the British Mandate of Palestine. Struck in .720 fine silver, this coin represents a unique historical moment when the region was administered by Britain following the collapse of the Ottoman Empire after World War I. As part of a series of coins introduced in 1927, the 100 mils denomination was the highest silver coin in the circulating currency system of Mandatory Palestine. The 1935 issue is particularly desirable due to its relatively lower mintage and the rising interest in coins from the Middle East, especially those connected to the complex political and cultural history of the Holy Land.
In 1927, the British administration introduced a unified coinage system for Palestine. These coins were struck at the Royal Mint in London and bore inscriptions in three languages: English, Arabic, and Hebrew. The use of the Hebrew script "פלשתינה (א"י)"—meaning “Palestine (Eretz Israel)”—was a political compromise acknowledging the growing Jewish population in the region, while also representing the Arab and British stakeholders. This trilingual inscription became a defining feature of the Mandate coinage, and its appearance on the 100 mils coin reflects the British attempt to balance cultural sensitivities during a volatile period.
The obverse design of the 1935 100 mils coin features the denomination “100 MILS” in English at the center, with the Arabic and Hebrew equivalents arranged around it in a circular pattern. The date “1935” appears at the bottom, while the same date in Arabic numerals is displayed above. The coin's layout is clean, symmetrical, and formal, reflecting British imperial design standards with regional customization. In About Uncirculated (AU) condition, the surfaces of the obverse remain sharp, with minimal signs of wear on the high points and strong detail in the inscriptions and outer border beading.
The reverse of the coin features a stylized olive branch with a single stem and leaves, symbolizing peace and the agrarian nature of the land. The design is centered and surrounded by the words “PALESTINE” in English, Hebrew, and Arabic, running clockwise around the circumference. The reverse is elegantly simple yet symbolically rich, projecting a message of unity and rootedness. In AU condition, the fine details of the olive leaves and lettering remain well-defined, with only slight friction or softening of the highest points, and often retains much of its original mint luster, giving it a pleasing visual appeal.
This coin was minted at the Royal Mint in London, which produced the entirety of the Palestine Mandate coinage between 1927 and 1946. The 1935 issue saw a total mintage of approximately 1,000,000 coins, which was relatively modest compared to other years. This lower mintage, combined with the historical importance of the 1930s as a turbulent decade in Palestine, has made the 1935 100 mils coin one of the more collectible dates in the series. Coins from this era are increasingly sought after by collectors of Middle Eastern history, British colonial issues, and Judaica.
The 100 mils coin was the largest circulating silver coin in the Palestine Mandate system. It has a diameter of 30 millimeters and a mass of 11.66 grams, making it comparable in size and weight to other silver crown-sized coins of the time. It is composed of 72% silver and 28% copper, and it features a reeded edge. This size and composition provided a sense of intrinsic value, and the coin’s heft and brightness when newly struck would have made it a desirable medium of exchange. The coin was used for larger transactions in urban centers and rural markets alike, serving both Jewish and Arab populations in the mixed economy of the Mandate.
In AU condition, the 1935 Palestine 100 mils coin shows only the slightest traces of wear, typically confined to the highest reliefs of the olive branch or numerals. The fields remain clean and smooth, often with traces of original mint luster, especially in the protected areas near the legends. Toning may be present, ranging from light golden hues to deeper grays or blues, depending on storage. Collectors value coins in AU condition because they preserve most of the original detail and eye appeal while remaining more affordable than uncirculated or mint state examples.
The historical context of the 1935 issue adds to its intrigue. During this period, tensions in Palestine were rising between the Jewish and Arab populations, and the British authorities were grappling with increasingly complex political realities. The issuance of coinage with trilingual inscriptions became a matter of symbolic importance, reflecting the diverse and often conflicting national aspirations present in the territory. The 100 mils coin, bearing the olive branch and the names of Palestine in three languages, was at once a neutral medium of exchange and a cultural artifact embedded with layers of meaning.
Collectors of world coins, especially those with interests in the Middle East, British colonial numismatics, or the early modern history of Israel and Palestine, regard the 1935 100 mils coin as a vital addition. Its combination of modest silver content, historical symbolism, and relatively low mintage makes it both accessible and significant. The coin is often included in type sets of Mandatory Palestine coinage, as well as thematic collections focused on peace symbolism or multicultural designs. Its preservation in AU condition offers a satisfying balance of historical patina and detail integrity.
In conclusion, the 1935 Palestine 100 mils KM#7 coin in About Uncirculated condition is a remarkable piece of historical currency. It combines thoughtful imperial design with powerful cultural symbolism, and it stands as a numismatic witness to one of the most complex periods in 20th-century history. With its silver composition, artistic olive branch motif, and trilingual inscriptions, the coin encapsulates the British Mandate’s attempt to govern a land of profound spiritual and political significance. In AU condition, it remains a compelling and visually attractive collectible for students of history, politics, and coinage alike.