Israel: New Gold And Silver Proof Coins In Popular Biblical Series, Features The Covenant Of David And Jonathan

Featuring some of the most popular stories from the holy book, the latest story in the series, now in it's twenty eighth year focuses on that of ‘David and Jonathan’ as told in the Book of Samuel. It is the story of an exceptional covenant of bond based on loyalty, affection and mutual support, surpassing usual family friendship. The story of David and Jonathan is one of a true, unconditional and boundless friendship, which has transcended the generations and remained inspiring to this very day.

Jonathan, the eldest son of King Saul and crown prince had great respect for David, a young shepherd and over time the two became close friends. When David became a successful warrior for King Saul and popular with the people, Saul’s jealousy of David was aroused, as he believed David to be a threat to his kingship. Although he was King Saul’s son and heir to the throne, Jonathan remained loyal to David, wanting him to be king after his father –

“… And you shall reign over Israel, and may I be to you as a viceroy and my father Saul too, knows this is so" (1 Samuel 23,17)

Such a situation was not at all usual, particularly in a time when it was more common for brothers to kill one another in order to ensure a kingship. The covenant between the two was more than any ordinary bond of friendship. It was exemplary, stressing the importance of interpersonal relationships, based on mutual trust and appreciation. Jonathan, in spite of his royal status, fearlessly defended David from his father who sought to kill him, and he gave him vital information to help him survive his father’s pursuit of him. David, on his part, proved his loyalty to Jonathan again and again, and expressed deep appreciation of his faithful friend. After Saul and Jonathan’s death on the battlefield, David composed a lamentation, in which he mourns for them.

The gold and silver proof coins are produced by the Holy Land Mint at their facilities in Nesher, Haifa on behalf of the Bank of Israel and designed by Aharon Shevo. Depicted on the obverse is David standing to the right and carrying a harp on his back, the instrument with which he is identified. To the left is Jonathan, the outstanding warrior, carrying on his back his arrows for battle. Both shake hands as a sign of the covenant they had forged between their souls. The reverse side features the Israeli State Emblem which is shown at the top along the edge. The face value is shown numerically and centred with the denomination NEW SHEKELS shown in text below the numeral along with the year of issue 2024 indicated in western and Hebrew numbers. To the left of the denomination are three arrows bunched. The commemorative inscription COVENANT OF DAVID AND JONATHAN (1 SAMUEL 18,3) is placed along the rim with the same inscription repeated in Hebrew and Arabic. The mintmark מ placed below the denomination indicates a proof strike while a Star of David indicates a BU specimen. 

Each coin is available as a separate item to order. The range of coins are encapsulated and presented in a custom-branded Holyland Mint case accompanied with a certificate of authenticity. For additional information on these and other coins issued by the Bank of Israel, please visit the e-webshop of the Holyland Mint.