March 13, 2014 – Following the “Coral Reef, Eilat” coin issued a year ago, the Bank of Israel has released the “Jordan River”, the second coin in the “Views of Israel” series.
Israel/ NIS 10/ Gold/ 16.96 g/ 30mm/ Mintage: 555. © Israel Mint.
The lowest river in the world and longest in Israel with a meandering course of 250 km (155 miles), hardly more than 30m (20miles) at its widest point, the Jordan River flows from north to south of Israel, through the Syrian-African Rift Valley, joining the Sea of Galilee to the Dead Sea. Its waters are a prime source of drinking water and irrigation for Israel.
Israel/ NIS 2/ Silver/ 31.1g/ 38.7mm/ Mintage: 2,800. © Israel Mint.
One of the most historically and religiously significant rivers in the world, the Jordan River has become one of the popular tourist sites of Israel.
River Jordan/ Wikipedia.
It was near Jericho where the Israelites, led by Joshua, crossed the Jordan River to enter the Promised Land. When Elijah the Prophet and Elisha his successor approached the waters of the Jordan River, Elijah struck the waters with his cloak and the waters parted, enabling them both to cross on dry land. It was here where Elijah was taken up to heaven in the whirlwind and when Elisha hit the waters of the Jordan with Elijah’s cloak, the waters separated again, proving that the spirit of Elijah now rested in him. Elisha healed Na’aman, general of the King of Aram (today, the region of Syria) from leprosy by having him bathe seven times in the Jordan River.
The Yardenit Baptismal Site near Bet Yerah/ Wikipedia.
The “Yardenit” baptismal site, where Jesus is said to have been baptized by John (Matthew 3:13) is visited by Christian pilgrims from all over the world.
Designed by artist Meir Eshel, the coin depicts a beautiful view of the hilly northern part of the river’s course with the Hermon Mountain rising in the north and characteristic vegetation on the banks of the river.
The coin has been struck in 3 versions:
10 NIS/ Gold/16.96g/ 30mm/ Mintage: 555
2 NIS/ Silver/ 31.1g/ 38.7mm/ Mintage: 2,800
1 NIS/ Silver/14.4g/ 30mm/ Mintage: 1,800
Orders may be placed online.
Find out more about the Jordan River in the Encyclopaedia Britannica.
Yardenit, the holy baptismal site on the Jordan River even has its own homepage.
CoinsWeekly also reported on the release of the “Coral Reef, Eilat” coin in 2013.