Name:
1 New Sheqel Israel 5769 (2009) Samson and the Lion Gold Coin
Coin type:
Proof (mirror surface, matte relief)
Gold net weight:
1.240 g.
Mint:
Utrecht Mint (Netherlands)
Country of origin:
Israel
Obverse: the obverse of the coin depicts the denominations in Hebrew and English, the coat of arms of the State, the country of origin "Israel" in three languages and the year of issue.
Reverse: the reverse of the coin depicts Samson grappling with a fierce lion in the Philistine city of Timnath, an ancient Mesopotamian style typical of the Canaanite period. The stylized palm symbolizes the land of Israel where this scene took place.
About the coin: the coin belongs to the Bible Art Series. The Samson depicted on the coin was a Nazarite, an ascetic who refrained from worldly pleasures, including alcohol consumption and even haircuts. When Samson went to meet the Philistine girl he wanted to marry, he was confronted by a lion attacking him. The Lord gave him extraordinary strength to fight. Later, on the way to his wedding, he watched bees make honey in a lion's carcass - an unexpected lesson about the whims of life and the possibility of making something sweet out of something opposite.
