SHEQEL - Page 2.2 - Trade Coins : Mil & Pruta Series 1948-1957



Chapter II Trade Coins Page 2 Mil & Pruta series 1 (Palestine) Pound = 1000 Mil Date introduced: October 1948 1 (Israel) Lira = 1000 Pruta (Prutot) Date introduced: From 11 May 1949

25 Mil Obverse: Cluster of Grapes (132 - 135 AD)

On the obverse of the 25 Mil coin appears a cluster of grapes, a motif used on coins from the second Jewish revolt against the Roman empire (132 - 135 AD).

25 Mil Regular-issue trade coin Issued: 1948 - 1949 Catalog # 8 Alloy: aluminium Diameter: 30 mm Weight: 3.1 - 3.8 gr Edge : smooth

Date		Mintage		Remarks	Value USD
Heb.	Civil	Quantity	Mint		F	VF	XF	AU	Unc.
5708	1948	42,650	Holon*		0060.00	0090.00	00.200.00	00.400.00	00.900.00
5708	1948	?	Holon*	Uniface, reverse only; few dozen minted ^(I)	150.00	200.00	350.00	550.00	1,000.00
5709	1949	650,000	Holon*	Open link ^(II)	20.00	25.00	40.00	70.00	120.00
5709	1949		Jerusalem*	Closed link ^(III)	12.00	15.00	22.00	40,00	70.00
5709	1949		Holon*	Straight-cut leaves ^(IV)	50.00	60.00	150.00	500.00	800.00
Images of varieties (Roman numerals correspond with description in Remarks column)
(I) Uniface (reverse only) 5708/1948
(II) Open link (III) Closed link
Regular curved leaves (IV) Straight-cut leaves
*Contemporary written information on the exact location of the Mints is sketchy and contradictory. It is presumed that an initial unsuccessful batch of coins dated 5708/1948 was minted at a workshop in the Hakirya compound in Tel Aviv (the former German Templer colony of Sarona). The balance of 5708/1948-dated coins was minted at the Michsaf cutlery factory in Holon, a fact which is well documented. Michsaf also minted a large quantity of coins dated 5709/1949, probably the "Open link" variety. Several sources indicate that a sizeable number of coins were minted in Jerusalem, but no written documentation about the location and name of the Mint is available.

1 Pruta Obverse: Anchor (4 - 6 AD)

The obverse of the 1 Pruta coin is adorned by an anchor, as depicted on coins minted during both the Hasmonean and Herodian dynasties. The ancient coin from which this particular design was taken, is a prutah minted during the reign of Herod Archelaus I (4 - 6 AD).

1 Pruta Regular-issue trade coin Issued: 1949 Catalog # 9 Alloy: aluminium 97%, magnesium 3% Diameter: 21 mm Weight: 1.3 gr Edge : smooth

Date		Mintage		Remarks	Value USD
Heb.	Civil	Quantity	Mint		F	VF	XF	AU	Unc.
5709	1949	2,600,000	ICI	With pearl ^(I)	0.40	0.40	1.20	2.50	4.00
5709	1949	2,500,000	Birmingham	Without pearl ^(II)	4.00	4.00	6.50	9.00	15.00
5709	1949	25,000	ICI	Proof
Two SPECIMEN coins are known to exist.
For images and description of the "with pearl and "without pearl" varieties, please see at the bottom of this page. Roman numerals correspond with description in Remarks column).

5 Pruta Obverse: Lyre (132 - 135 AD)

A variety of lyres appear on coins issued during the second Jewish revolt against Rome (132 - 135 AD). The type shown on the obverse of the 5 Pruta trade coin is a four-stringed lyre, surrounded by the words "Year one of the redemption of Israel".

5 Pruta Regular-issue trade coin Issued: 1949 Catalog # 10 Alloy: bronze (copper 95%, tin 3%, zinc 2%) Diameter: 20 mm Weight: 3.2 gr Edge : smooth

Date		Mintage		Remarks	Value USD
Heb.	Civil	Quantity	Mint		F	VF	XF	AU	Unc.
5709	1949	5,020,000	ICI	With pearl ^(I)	1.00	1.00	1.80	3.00	5.00
5709	1949	5,000,000	Birmingham	Without pearl ^(II)	2.00	2.00	3.00	6.00	10.00
5709	1949	25,000	ICI	Proof
For images and description of the "with pearl and "without pearl" varieties, please see at the bottom of this page. Roman numerals correspond with description in Remarks column).

10 Pruta Obverse: Two-handled Amphora (132 - 135 AD)

A two-handled amphora from the Bar Kochba uprising against the Romans (132 - 135 AD) graces the first issue of the 10 Pruta coins.

10 Pruta Regular-issue trade coin Issued: 1949 Catalog # 11 Alloy: bronze (copper 95%, tin 3%, zinc 2%) Diameter: 27 mm Weight: 6.1 gr Edge : smooth

Date		Mintage		Remarks	Value USD
Heb.	Civil	Quantity	Mint		F	VF	XF	AU	Unc.
5709	1949	7,428,000	ICI	With pearl ^(I)	1.50	1.50	2.50	6.00	10.00
5709	1949	7,500,000	Birmingham	Without pearl ^(II)	0.80	0.80	1.80	3.00	5.00
5709	1949	20,000	ICI	Proof
One SPECIMEN is known to exist.
For images and description of the "with pearl and "without pearl" varieties, please see at the bottom of this page. Roman numerals correspond with description in Remarks column).

10 Pruta & 10 Prutot Obverse: Single-handled Jug (132 - 135 AD)

For the second issue of the 10 Pruta coin, a different design was chosen, also from the second Jewish revolt (132 - 135 AD). Only several years later, in 1957, it was decided to place into circulation a third issue in two alloy varieties, copper-electroplated and aluminium. This time the correctly spelled plural form Prutot was used.

10 Pruta Regular-issue trade coin Issued: 1952 Catalog # 17 Alloy: aluminium 97%, magnesium 3% Diameter: 24.5 mm Weight: 1.6 gr Edge : scalloped

Date		Mintage		Remarks	Value USD
Heb.	Civil	Quantity	Mint		F	VF	XF	AU	Unc.
5712	1952	26,042,000	ICI		0.20	0.20	0.50	1.50	3.00
One SPECIMEN is known to exist.

10 Prutot Regular-issue trade coin Issued: 1957 Catalog # 20 Alloy: aluminium 97%, magnesium 3% Diameter: 24.5 mm Weight: 1.6 gr Edge : smooth

Date		Mintage		Remarks	Value USD
Heb.	Civil	Quantity	Mint		F	VF	XF		Unc.
5717	1957	1,000,000	Tel Aviv		0.40	0.40	0.80	1.70	3.00

10 Prutot Regular-issue trade coin Issued: 1957 Catalog # 20a Alloy: copper-plated aluminium Diameter: 24.5 mm Weight: 1.6 gr Edge : smooth

Date		Mintage		Remarks	Value USD
Heb.	Civil	Quantity	Mint		F	VF	XF	AU	Unc.
5717	1957	1,088,000	Tel Aviv		0.50	0.50	1.00	2.20	4.00

25 Pruta Obverse: Cluster of Grapes (132 - 135 AD)

A coin minted in the year 134 AD depicts a cluster of grapes. The inscription around the motif reads "Shimon", referring to Simon Bar Kochba, one of the leaders of the second revolt against the Roman occupation of Judea (132 - 135 AD). This motif was chosen for the 25 Pruta coin.

25 Pruta Regular-issue trade coin Issued: 1949 Catalog # 12 Alloy: cupro-nickel (copper 75%, nickel 25%) Diameter: 19.5 mm Weight: 2.8 gr Edge : reeded

Date		Mintage		Remarks	Value USD
Heb.	Civil	Quantity	Mint		F	VF	XF	AU	Unc.
5709	1949	10,500,000	ICI	With pearl ^(I)	0.50	0.50	1.00	2.20	3.00
5709	1949	2,500,000	Birmingham	Without pearl ^(II)	6.00	6.00	10.00	18.00	30.00
5709	1949	20,000	ICI	Proof
Twenty cu-ni SPECIMEN coins with pearl are known to exist, struck in Proof.
Two aluminium SPECIMEN coins with pearl are known to exist, weighing 1.03 gram.
One bronze-plated (probably over cu-ni) SPECIMEN with pearl is known to exist, but its authenticity is unverified.
For images and description of the "with pearl and "without pearl" varieties, please see at the bottom of this page. Roman numerals correspond with description in Remarks column).

25 Pruta Regular-issue trade coin Issued: 1954 Catalog # 12a Alloy: nickel bonded steel Diameter: 19.5 mm Weight: 2.8 gr Edge : smooth

Date		Mintage		Remarks	Value USD
Heb.	Civil	Quantity	Mint		F	VF	XF	AU	Unc.
5714	1954	3,697,347	Tel Aviv	Distinctive bonding mark on edge. Coin is magnetic.	0.30	0.30	0.80	2.00	3.00

50 Pruta Obverse: Grape Leaves (66 - 70 AD)

The obverse design of the 50 Pruta trade coin received its inspiration from a coin issued in Jerusalem during the first Judeo-Roman war (66 - 70 AD). A branch of grape leaves gaces both coins. The ancient original is inscribed "For the freedom of Jerusalem".

50 Pruta Regular-issue trade coin Issued: 1949 & 1954 Catalog # 13.1 Alloy: cupro-nickel (copper 75%, nickel 25%) Diameter: 23.5 mm Weight: 5.6 gr Edge : reeded

Date		Mintage		Remarks	Value USD
Heb.	Civil	Quantity	Mint		F	VF	XF	AU	Unc.
5709	1949	*6,020,000	ICI*	With pearl ^(I). *Probably an unspecified quantity was also minted at The Birmingham Mint and the actual quantity minted may be substantially less than published by the Issuing Authority.	2.00	2.00	4.00	8.00	12.00
5709	1949	6,000,000	Birmingham	Without pearl ^(II)	0.50	0.50	1.00	2.20	3.00
5709	1949	20,000	ICI	Proof
5714	1954	250,000	Tel Aviv		7.00	10.00	15.00	25.00	40.00
For images and description of the "with pearl and "without pearl" varieties, please see at the bottom of this page. Roman numerals correspond with description in Remarks column).

50 Pruta Regular-issue trade coin Issued: 1954 Catalog # 13.2 Alloy: cupro-nickel (copper 75%, nickel 25%) Diameter: 23.5 mm Weight: 5.6 gr Edge : smooth

Date		Mintage		Remarks	Value USD
Heb.	Civil	Quantity	Mint		F	VF	XF	AU	Unc.
5714	1954	4,500,000	Tel Aviv		0.50	0.50	1.00	1.80	3.00

50 Pruta Regular-issue trade coin Issued: 1954 Catalog # 13.2a Alloy: nickel bonded steel Diameter: 23.5 mm Weight: 5 gr Edge : smooth

Date		Mintage		Remarks	Value USD
Heb.	Civil	Quantity	Mint		F	VF	XF	AU	Unc.
5714	1954	17,773,663	Tel Aviv	Distinctive bonding mark on edge. Coin is magnetic.	0.40	0.40	0.70	1.50	2.50

100 Pruta Obverse: Palm Tree (132 - 135 AD)

The obverse of the 100 Pruta trade coin shows a palm tree, which also appears on coins minted during the second revolt against the Romans (132 - 135 AD). This particular original reads "Shimon" (Bar Kochba), and was issued in year three of the uprising.

100 Pruta Large Type Regular-issue trade coin Issued: 1949 & 1955 Catalog # 14 Alloy: cupro-nickel (copper 75%, nickel 25%) Diameter: 28.5 mm Weight: 11.3 gr Edge : reeded

Date		Mintage		Remarks	Value USD
Heb.	Civil	Quantity	Mint		F	VF	XF	AU	Unc.
5709	1949	3,042,000	ICI		0.50	0.50	1.00	2.50	4.00
5709	1949	3,000,000	Birmingham
5709	1949	20,000	ICI	Proof
5715	1955	5,867,674	Tel Aviv		0.50	0.50	1.00	2.20	3.00

100 Pruta Small Type, Large Wreath Regular-issue trade coin Issued: 1954 Catalog # 18 Alloy: nickel bonded steel Diameter: 25.6 mm Weight: 7.3 gr Edge : smooth

Date		Mintage		Remarks	Value USD
Heb.	Civil	Quantity	Mint		F	VF	XF	AU	Unc.
5714	1954	700,000	Tel Aviv	Large wreath close to edge. Coin is magnetic. Bern die.	0.50	0.50	1.00	2.20	3.00

100 Pruta Small Type, Large Wreath Trade coin not approved for general issue or trial strike, very limited quantity placed into circulation Issued: 1954 Catalog # 18.1 Alloy: cupro-nickel (copper 75%, nickel 25%) Diameter: 25.6 mm Weight: 7.5 gr Edge : smooth Special features: Coin is non-magnetic Edge does not have distinct bonding mark Coin has a distinct yellowish color

Date		Mintage		Remarks	Value USD
Heb.	Civil	Quantity	Mint		F	VF	XF	AU	Unc.
5714	1954	? (rare)	Tel Aviv	Large wreath close to edge. Coin is non-magnetic. Bern die. Quantity unknown, estimated at approx. 1,000 pcs.	70.00	120.00	200.00	250.00	300.00

100 Pruta Small Type, Small Wreath Regular-issue trade coin Issued: 1954 Catalog # 19 Alloy: nickel bonded steel Diameter: 25.6 mm Weight: 7.3 gr Edge : smooth

Date		Mintage		Remarks	Value USD
Heb.	Civil	Quantity	Mint		F	VF	XF	AU	Unc.
5714	1954	20,000	Utrecht	Small wreath away from edge. Coin is magnetic. Utrecht die.	120.00	150.00	250.00	550.00	1,200.00

100 Pruta Small Type, Small Wreath Trade coin not approved for general issue or trial strike, very limited quantity placed into circulation Issued: 1954 Catalog # 19.1 Alloy: cupro-nickel (copper 75%, nickel 25%) Diameter: 25.6 mm Weight: 7.5 gr Edge : smooth Special features: Coin is non-magnetic Edge does not have distinct bonding mark Coin has a distinct yellowish color

Date		Mintage		Remarks	Value USD
Heb.	Civil	Quantity	Mint		F	VF	XF	AU	Unc.
5714	1954	? (rare)	Utrecht	Small wreath away from edge. Coin is non-magnetic. Utrecht die. Quantity unknown, estimated at several tens of pcs.	600.00	750.00	1,000.00	1,500.00	2,500.00

250 Pruta Obverse: Three Palm Branches (69 AD)

On the obverse of the 250 Pruta trade coin appear three palm branches tied together at the bottom. The original coin, from which the design was taken, was a quarter Sheqel minted in year four of the first war against the Romans (69 AD).

250 Pruta Regular-issue trade coin Issued: 1949 Catalog # 15 Alloy: cupro-nickel (copper 75%, nickel 25%) Diameter: 32.2 mm Weight: 14.1 gr Edge : reeded

Date		Mintage		Remarks	Value USD
Heb.	Civil	Quantity	Mint		F	VF	XF	AU	Unc.
5709	1949	1,496,000	ICI	With pearl ^(I)	1.00	1.00	1.50	3.00	5.00
5709	1949	524,000	Birmingham	Without pearl ^(II)	1.00	1.00	1.50	3.50	7.00
Two SPECIMEN coins are known to exist.
For images and description of the "with pearl and "without pearl" varieties, please see at the bottom of this page. Roman numerals correspond with description in Remarks column).

250 Pruta Non-circulation trade coin Issued: 1949 Catalog # 15a Alloy: silver .500 Diameter: 32.2 mm Weight: 14.4 gr Edge : reeded

Date		Mintage		Remarks	Value USD
Heb.	Civil	Quantity	Mint		F	VF	XF	AU	Unc.
5709	1949	44,125	Birmingham	'H' mintmark on reverse	---	---	---	---	13.00

500 Pruta Obverse: Pomegranates (66 - 70 AD)

The obverse of the 500 Pruta coin depicts a High priest staff with three buds of pomegranates, as it appeared on a silver coin minted in Jerusalem during the first war against the Romans (66 - 70 AD).

500 Pruta Non-circulation trade coin Issued: 1949 Catalog # 16 Alloy: silver .500 Diameter: 38 mm Weight: 25.0 gr Edge : reeded

Date		Mintage		Remarks	Value USD
Heb.	Civil	Quantity	Mint		F	VF	XF	AU	Unc.
5709	1949	44,125	Birmingham		---	---	---	---	40.00

General information on Pruta-series coins

"With pearl" and "Without pearl"
(I) With pearl (II) Without pearl
When the same Pruta series coin was struck by both the ICI Mint and the MBL Mint (Birmingham) in Great Britain, to the ICI version a small raised dot - also called "pearl" - was added on the reverse, just below the link near the bottom. Sometimes the pearl (almost) touches the link, and in other instances the pearl is detached.

"Pruta" and "Prutot"
From left to right: Wrong plural form PRUTA, and corrected rendering into PRUTOT.
When introduced in 1949, the name chosen for Israel's trade coins was Pruta. The singular term "Pruta" (meaning "a coin of lower value"), and its plural form "Prutot", are extensively found in Mishnaic Hebrew texts dating from the second century AD onwards. For unknown reasons, the designers of the Pruta-series coins refrained from using the correct plural form Prutot, but used the erroneous singular form Pruta on all coins (5, 10, 25, 50, 100, 250 & 500 Pruta). Aware of this linguistic blunder, the Bank of Israel corrected the error in 1957, when two versions of the correctly spelled 10 Prutot coin were issued. Too late for all the other denominations though, as less than three years later the Pruta series (1 Lira = 1000 Prutot) was abandoned for the Agora series (1 Lira = 100 Agorot). This time, the designers did not forget to use the correct plural form Agorot for coins denominated 5 Agorot and up.

Details of Mints
Place or Name		Country		Name of Mint
Birmingham		United Kingdom		The Birmingham Mint
Holon		Israel		Michsaf Cutlery Factory
ICI		United Kingdom		Imperial Chemical Industries, Birmingham
Jerusalem		Israel		Government Printer - Israel Mint
Tel Aviv		Israel		Government Printer - Israel Mint
Utrecht		Netherlands		's Rijks Munt (in 1994 renamed: Koninklijke Nederlandse Munt - Royal Dutch Mint)



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