I've run across several sheqel coins which Have been difficult to impossible to date. I have visited a couple of web sites that supposedly explain the hebrew calendar, however, I have been unable to come up with a date that's even in the ball park. Many of the characters on the coins do not look like the characters I've found in these sites. The below is one such coin. No matter what I do, I don't get a 5000 something date. I usually come up with a date in the 1960's or 2500 something, and my research indicates these type of coins were minted in the 1985-2000 time frame. Please advise if you can help..Regards, and thanks, Bill
Here's a converter: http://www.hebcal.com/converter/ Numbers: http://www.i18nguy.com/unicode/hebrew-numbers.html Characters: http://www.i18nguy.com/unicode/hebrew.html
The Krause Standard Catalog of World Coins explains it nicely. Also, the coins may have only three numbers, as the 5000 is assumed. And you need to read from right to left, the other way. "Arabians learn Arabian with the speed of summer lightening And the Hebrews learn it backwards, which is absolutely frightening." -- Prof Higgins singing "Why Can't the English Learn to Speak" in My Fair Lady.
You guys are Great!! this is an excellent primer and I'll be sure to keep it in a safe place. No wonder I was getting it wrong if you have to read it right to left. I just recently learned the same thing about Japanese and Chinese numbering. I might get the hang of it yet. Thanks ever so much to everyone who replied...Bill
