Sri Lanka Rupee

One rupee, 2002

2 rupee, 1984

5 rupee, 1994

The symbol on the obverse is the national emblem or the coat of arms of Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka has usually had an elephant on its coat of arms but this one with the lion on it has been in use since 1972.

The image in the centre is also on the flag of Sri Lanka. It is a golden lion passant (passant is one of the different attitudes or positions in which an animal is shown), and it is holding a flag in its right front paw on a maroon background surrounded by golden petals of the blue lotus. Encircling the border are sheaves of rice grains which are symbolic of prosperity. The crest of the symbol is the dharmachakra, reasserting the position of Buddhism in the country. The supporters at the bottom are the sun and the moon, which are traditional Sinhalese heraldic symbols.

Sri Lanka 10 rupee: 50 years of independence, 1998

Sri Lanka got its independence in 1948 and this coin was minted in 1998, on the occasion of 50 years of its independence. The building shown on the obverse is not mentioned in the catalog but I think it is the Presidential Secretariat, the old Parliament building at Marine Drive.

Israel Lira

Half Lira, 1969

The obverse shows a Menorah or a Hanukkah having 7 candle stands flanked by sprigs. This is the national symbol or emblem of Israel. It is also their coat of arms. The menorah has a special place among the Jews. It gained its place in Jewish folklore during the Jewish revolt against the Seleucid monarchy when the Jews lighted a menorah with enough oil for one day, but it miraculously lasted for 8 days until another one could be found. So menorahs having 8 stands were also created , and ones even having 9 slots for candles with the centre one being an auxiliary candle used to light the other candles. Menorahs have different styles but the one on the coin is the original one.

1 Lira, 1977

The obverse shows stylized pomegranates.

Weight: 9 gm

Metal: copper-nickel

Diameter: 27.5mm

The Hebrew language is definitely hard to understand and so far I have not been able to make any head or tail of it. I do not get even the number system, I have got to know the dates on these coins by looking up in a table.

Israel sheqalim

1 sheqel, 1981

The object shown on the reverse is a chalice, a cup like vessel used for holding wine. In Christian tradition, the Holy Chalice was the vessel that Jesus used to serve wine in The Last Supper. There was a similar vessel about which it is said that the blood of Jesus was collected in it after the crucifixion. It is also known as the Holy Grail. That is talking about the religious importance of this particular object.

5 new Sheqalim

This coin shows an ancient column on the reverse.This one is 5 new sheqalim . 1 new sheqel is made of 100 agorot and 1000 old sheqalim are equivalent to 1 new sheqel.

10 sheqalim, 1982

The reverse shows an ancient galley, a boat with a number of oars rowed usually by slaves.

100 sheqalim, 1984

The reverse shows a Menorah or a Hanukkah, which is one of the oldest symbols of oldest symbols of Jewish faith, along with the star of David. The Menorah is essentially a candle stand having seven candles as shown on the coin, and traditional lighting is done with ritually pure olive oil. This simple candle stand became a part of Jewish folklore during the rededication of the temple in the Jewish revolt against the Seleucid monarchy. A menorah was lighted with olive oil sufficient for one day, but it lasted for 8 days until another could be found. This caused the rise of variations of the Hanukkah having 8 or 9 slots for candles , with the ninth one being an auxiliary candle used to light the other candles. Now some random variations have also been made of the Menorah.

Thailand 20 Baht - V

Thailand 20 Baht:120th anniversary
ministry of foreign affairs April14

20 Baht: 50 years of FAO 1945-1995

Thailand 20 Baht - IV

20 Baht: ASEAN environment year 1995

Year: 2538BE=1995AD. For some reason, this one is not listed in the catalog. ASEAN is short for Association of SouthEast Asian Nations, a conglomerate of 10 member South East Asian countries. Its aims include the acceleration of economic growth, social progress, cultural development among its members, the sustenance of peace and prosperity in its regions and to allow amicable discussions of differences among its members.

20 Baht: Siriraj nursing midwife school centennial January12

Year: 2539BE=1996AD

20 Baht: 120th anniversary ministry of finance 2418-2538BE

Thailand 20 Baht - III

20 Baht

This one is also not listed in the catalog, yet. The date seems to be 2549BE(The last digit looks like Lao 9 to me), and that date converts to 2006AD. I can see the year on the coin, but I cannot see any date.

20 Baht: 100th anniversary Thai railways March 26

Year: 2540 BE=1997AD

20 Baht: 72nd birthday of King Rama IX June 9

Year: 2542BE= 1999AD

Thailand 20 Baht - II

Thailand 20 Baht

Date: 2545BE=2002AD

Couldn't get a lead on this one as its not listed in the catalog. Any information about the theme of this one would be welcome.

20 Baht: 50 years of reign of king Rama IX June 9

Date: 2539BE=1996AD

20 Baht: 50years of peace August 16

Date: 2538BE=1995AD

Thailand 20 Baht - I

20 Baht: 100th birthday king's mother October 21

Year: 2543BE=2000AD

20 Baht: 120th anniversary audit council 2418-2538BE

Date: 2538BE= 1995AD

Thailand 20 Baht: 108th anniversary
of ministry of defence April 8

Date: 2538BE=1994AD