Description
This listing is for one proof uncirculated:
ISRAEL
DEATH OF A HASMONEAN HERO
SQUASHED BY ELEPHANT
ANNUAL HANUKKAH COIN SERIES
1961 1 LIRAH LEGAL TENDER
LIMITED MINTAGE OF JUST 9324 PIECES
COPPER-NICKEL WORLD COMMEMORATIVE PROOF COIN UNCIRCULATED
This 1961 1 Lirah coin from Israel pictures a man underneath an elephant stabbing the belly of the beast.
The coin, known as the “Death of a Hasmonean Hero” or the “Maccabean Hero” tells the story of Eleazer killing a war elephant as is written in 1 Maccabees 6:42-47. In 163 BC Seleucid King Antiochus V sent an army to Judea to put down the revolt lead by Judas Maccabeus who was seeking freedom for the Jewish state. Included in the forces were 32 of the most terrifying weapons of the era – elephants. Each elephant lead a force of a thousand men.
Eleazer, the younger brother of Judas Maccabeus, spied the largest and most heavily armored of the elephants. Assuming that it carried the king, he single handedly fought his way through the phalanx of soldiers surrounding the elephant, ran under the beast and stabbed it in the belly. The dying elephant fell on top of Eleazer, killing him. Alas, the elephant did not carry the king, and the Jewish forces soon retreated in the face of strength of the Seleucid army.
The 32mm copper-nickel coin was struck as part of Israel’s annual series of Hanukkah coins.
This coin is much larger than a USA quarter (24.26 mm in diameter) and slightly larger than a USA half dollar (30.61 mm in diameter).
The coin features the Hebrew letter “mem” between the elephant’s legs, which indicates the coin is Proof.
The coin has a limited mintage of just 9324 pieces in Proof.
The obverse of the coin features a torch and the legend in Hebrew “And he gave up his soul in battle”.
This Hanukkah Coin makes a fantastic collectible gift for yourself or someone you know.
PHOTOS IN THIS LISTING ARE ENLARGED TO SHOW DETAILS.
COIN HAS SUPERFICIAL NICKS, SCRATCHES AND WEAR OF FINISH FROM WAY THESE COINS ARE STACKED AND HANDLED AT THE MINT.
COIN MAY HAVE SPOTTING, TONING, AND/OR OXIDATION RELATED TO AGE.
COIN YOU RECEIVE MAY VARY FROM THE ONE SHOWN IN PHOTO BUT WILL BE IN SAME GENERAL CONDITION.
PARDON REFLECTIONS IN PHOTO DUE TO COIN BEING HIGHLY REFLECTIVE — YOU CAN SEE CAMERA LENS REFLECTED ON COIN.
Great addition for your coin, Israel, and/or elephant collection!
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Please be sure to read listing carefully, thoroughly, and completely and to ask questions before buying so you are completely satisfied with your purchase.
This listing includes free shipping to USA by USPS First Class Mail with delivery confirmation.
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