Hi error coin collectors, I'm a new kid on the block (not in numismatics - I'm an oldie collector since 1977), and wish to inform you of a 'bad' ('good' for collectors) error on a new Israeli coin. The Bank of Israel (BOI) through the Israel Government Coins & Medals Corp. (IGCMC), recently issued a gold commem coin, 1 New Sheqel 2004/5764 'Jacob and Rachel', the smallest gold coin issued in Israel so far, 13.92 mm 1.24 gr. Lo and behold, soon after the first coins were shipped out to IGCMC subscribers, an eagle-eyed collector with knowledge of written Arabic noticed that the letter A was missing from the word 'Israel' in Arabic on the coin's reverse. "ISRAIL" in correct Arabic had suddenly become "ISRIL". That's like the US Mint releasing a Texas State Quarter reading "TEXS". I think George W. wouldn't like that a bit... Immediately after the discovery of this blunder, the Bank of Israel instructed the Royal Netherlands Mint in Utrecht to halt production forthwith, and recalled the error dies and the coins meanwhile minted. The sale of the error coins was suspended, and subscribers received a explanatory notice about the blunder, and notification about the impending issue of a new and corrected version, this time with our Country's name correctly spelled in Arabic. Who is to blame for this oversight? This is not the first time an Israeli coin, banknote or token is issued with a serious error in it. Israel numismatic collectors will certainly be familiar with the Pick 49a "RARAV" error banknote, the KM-26 "FATCHA" error coin (again in Arabic...), and the IGCMC "SEASONS GREATINGS" error New Year token. The problem is, that all Israel coins and banknotes are minted resp. printed outside Israel (mostly in The Netherlands), and proof checking a coin or note before release must be done in Israel, considering that Dutch and Hebrew are not exactly sister languages. This time, also the tiny size of the coin may be to blame, as I needed a magnifier to see the error. Few error coins were actually sold; the excact quantity is unknown at this time. I have a few of these error pieces, and those interested can email me for info on how to obtain one (as long as I have them). A few images of the error coin are available too; just drop me a line. What an intersting hobby we have... Enjoy it as long as you can!
Pinchas,do you know how much the error coins from Israel are going for these days,or is the Israel Government Coin & Medals Department sending out letters demanding that the error coins be handed in? If you had one of these error coins,I can guess that you will refuse to accede to that demand,& keep the coin. Aidan.
Who would return an error coin? I don't know in which forum, but somewhere I saw a few days ago that someone wanted to return an error Wisconsin Quarter? The IGCMC can of course not demand any coin back. Out of politeness they offered to exchange the error coins for soon-to-be released coins with the correct text. On Sunday is was at their local outlet (don't worry, not to return my error coin..., but for other business), and I didn't see any line of people waiting to exchange their coin(s). As a matter of fact I was the only customer at that moment. At this moment no local dealer is offering the coin. Also a major US dealer (commem.com) is not selling it, claiming it is "out of stock".
