I ran into this coin the other day, and am having a very hard time identifying it. It appears to be an Israeli coin made of aluminum. I haven't been able to decipher the date nor the denomination. Anyone have any ideas?
well, it's definitely Israeli, the Hebrew confirms as much. As for what exactly it is, I'm not sure, I'll look into it and see what I can find.
Well, from what I have been able to find, apparently that's not a coin at all, but rather a token. It says Israel on the obverse and on the reverse, "shalom" the Hebrew word for peace. They were apparently made to resemble the 1 agora (essentially shekel cents) coin from the 1960-1980 series of Israeli coinage, which look like this: Hope this helps!
corymon77: Thanks for your input. I wish my coin or token had a date like the coin you pictured, but it doesn't. I'm wondering, do you know if they make Isreali play money for kids? Its got a 1 on it, so it must be representing a denomination. Usually, tokens are for advertising, or using in machines, casinos, etc, and I don't see this as being one of those. Its made of aluminum and is about the size of the 1 agora coin. It weighs 0.8 g, and is about 16.5 mm in diameter. The edge is smooth, and its 1.5 mm thick. What in the world would a token like this be used for in Israel? Oh well, thanks again for your input. Regards, Bill
as I said, your coin is a token. It was modeled after the coin I pictured above, but without the date, since it is a token. I have no idea what they are used for, but search shalom token on google if you want to know more.
Looks more like the reform 1 new agora from 1980-1982: I would agree this is a kids game token. Yes, there were some games that included metal or plastic play money.
IT IS A HOME MADE FORGERY : FIRST TIME I SAW IT DURING MY ENTIRE LIFE ! IT I WRITTEN שלום 1 "ONE SHALOM" MEANING ONE PEACE ! THE FORGERY IS BASED ON 1 NEW AGORAH (5)740 | (1980) 106 LISTED HERE : http://giladzuckerman.webs.com/mercuguinness.html#ISRAEL
What makes you think its a home made forgery if its the first one you see in your entire life? Who, in his right mind, would forge a coin and make it look totally different? I already mentioned its based on 1980 1 agora, also added a photo. There is nothing about this token in link you pasted.
I'm confused. Isn't a forgery an almost exact replica of the original, albeit a poorer quality? Though this coin looks like a 1 New Agorah, it obviously isn't or this thread would have never been started. My opinion is that it is just a "Good Feeling" type of token referring to the ongoing peace process in Israel and Palestinian occupied areas. Those are my two Agorahs!
It is possible that the "token" isn't Israeli made at all. It could have been produced by the AINA, American Israel Numismatic Society based in the US. I know the make yearly Medals/Tokens.
Peace process related token or commemorative would have been kind of bigger and made of silver, or at least copper-nickel, not aluminum. Yeah, could very be some private issue.
Very true, as you usually are. But what about the kids? Maybe this one is a kind of social conditioning/play money.
This might remain a mistery for now. Found another website listing this token with 0 details and a popular coins forum with several threads about it, wihtout any useful info. Kids play money usually says "shekels": http://www.ebay.com/itm/ISRAEL-5-SH...518?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1e63b5b0b6 It feels more like private issue from 1980s to me, could be play money as well.
Here's a few medals from different organizations: American Israel Numismatic Association. NY, USA AINA - 1988 - Bronze - Morris Bram Commemorative AINA - 1994 - Palestine Peace Accord
Israel Government Coins & Medals Corporation IGCMC - 1990 - Steel - Hagana 70th Anniversary IGCMC - 1968 - CN - Season's Greetings
And here's a couple that actually look like Israeli issues on the obverse side. Israel Coin Club of L.A. ICCLA - 1982 - 200th Meeting Commemorative ICCLA - 1982 - 200th Meeting Commemorative (with decorative X over reverse side)
I have two of these in my collection and I have no idea where I got them or what they are. But I'd really like to find out. Thanks for the info so far. As soon as I figure out what they are they'll be on eBay.