Jordan Valley Silver Coin Set Israel 2013 Proof

Special Edition - Jordan Valley

This exclusive set of two silver coins, issued by the Bank of Israel in 2013 in Proof quality, is dedicated to the most important and sacred places in the world, both in the Jewish and Christian religions, the Jordan River and the Sea of Galilee. A glass bottle of water from the Holy Land completes the set.

The first coin, issued in 2012 to mark the 64th anniversary of the establishment of the State of Israel, depicts on its reverse the scenery of the Sea of Galilee from the northwestern shore, with a sailboat on the water, palm trees and flowers on the shore, and the Golan Heights in the background. The motif is accompanied by the inscriptions 'SEA OF GALILEE' in English, Hebrew and Arabic. The obverse depicts a map of the Sea of Galilee, whose shape resembles a zither, which is why the lake is also called the Lake of Kinneret. This is followed by the inscriptions "ISRAEL" and "INDEPENDENCE DAY - 2012" in English, Hebrew and Arabic, the national emblem of Israel and the denomination.

Most of the wanderings of Jesus of Nazareth are said to have taken place on the shores of the Sea of Galilee. The Gospels of Mark, Matthew and Luke describe how Jesus made disciples of the fishermen on the lake. They were the fishermen Simon and his brother Andrew and the brothers John and James. One of Jesus' most famous speeches - the Sermon on the Mount - took place on a mountain overlooking the lake, and many of his other miracles took place there as well, including walking on water, stopping a storm, and feeding five thousand people.

The second coin issued in 2013 in the "Views of Israel" series depicts the Jordan River on the reverse with typical riverside vegetation and Mount Hermon in the background of the coin. The motif is accompanied by the inscriptions "JORDAN RIVER" in English, Hebrew and Arabic. The obverse shows a map of the Jordan River, which connects the Sea of Galilee to the Dead Sea. This is followed by the inscription 'ISRAEL' in English, Hebrew and Arabic, the national emblem of Israel, the denomination and the year of issue.

The numerous fords across the Jordan commemorate the event when the patriarch Jacob and his retinue crossed the Jordan and wrestled with the Lord at the ford over the Jabbok. Elijah and Elisha crossed the Jordan with dry feet. It was here that Elijah was taken up into heaven in an airy whirlwind. John the Baptist in the Jordan "baptized those who had turned from their sins." This was to be done at Bethany on the other side of the Jordan. There Jesus of Nazareth came to him to be baptized. Here John the Baptist referred to him as the Lamb of God and the Son of God. The New Testament tells several times how Jesus crossed the Jordan during his travels, where large crowds followed him to hear his preaching and to be healed of their sickness.

The coins come in a gift box along with a certificate of authenticity in a limited edition of only 2,800 for the entire world!