Ancient Jewish Coins: Rebirth of Israeli Coins

It was not until the 20th century that “Israel” again appears on coins - in a greatly abbreviated Hebrew form “E(retz) Y(srael)” (Land of Israel) on coins of the British Palestine Mandate, 1927-1946. Finally, “Israel” is inscribed fully (in Hebrew and Arabic) on the first coins issued in 1948 shortly after the establishment of the modern State of Israel. Significantly, these 25 mils feature a bunch of grapes, similar to the design that appeared on one of the last coins of the ancient Jewish state issued by Bar Kochba in 134/135 CE.

Palestine Mandate 100 Mils (Haffner p. 208, top)

Israel 25 Mils (Haffner p. 14, P-1)

Grapes on Bar Kochba Denarius (Brom. 211)

Sources: The Handbook of Biblical Numismatics