How to Identify the Israel 10 Lirot
A collector's checklist for the 1968 silver 10 Lirot: denomination, menorah and Jerusalem designs, size, mint mark, and authentication.
Read the full Israel 10 Lirot encyclopedia entry →
Start with the denomination and the two anchor designs. A genuine 10 Lirot reads its value clearly and pairs a menorah emblem, shown here with flanking columns, against a skyline view of Jerusalem on the opposite face. Read the Hebrew legends and locate the date; the piece here is dated 1968 for the 20th anniversary of independence. If either central design is missing or the value is not 10 Lirot, you have a different coin or a medal.
Confirm the physical profile next. This is a crown-sized silver piece, roughly 37 mm in diameter and about 26 grams, struck in a high-silver alloy. It should feel substantial, show bright silver at any unworn edge nick, ring clearly when tapped, and be non-magnetic. A light, magnetic, or grainy piece of the same design is not the silver coin.
Check the finish and mint mark to pin down the exact version. Israeli commemoratives mark their proof strikes with a small Star of David near the design; the uncirculated version omits it. A frosted, mirror-field proof with that mark is the more sought finish, while a plain-luster coin without the mark is the standard uncirculated issue.
Watch for look-alikes and reproductions. Other years in the Independence Day series share the menorah-and-emblem layout with different reverse themes, so do not judge by the menorah alone; verify the Jerusalem view and the 1968 date together. Privately made medals and replicas may copy the imagery without matching the weight, diameter, or silver ring. When a coin's specifications do not line up, or the strike looks soft with casting seams, treat it as suspect and seek a second opinion before paying a silver premium.
Frequently asked questions
What is the fastest way to confirm this coin?
Match three things at once: the 10 Lirot denomination, the menorah with flanking columns on one face, and the Jerusalem cityscape with the 1968 date on the other. All three together identify the type.
Where is the mint mark and what does it tell me?
Look for a small Star of David near the design. Its presence marks the frosted proof version; its absence indicates the ordinary uncirculated strike. Either way, authenticate with weight, diameter, and silver ring.
How can I tell a genuine coin from a replica?
Weigh and measure it against the expected silver crown specifications and inspect for casting seams, grainy texture, or soft detail. A genuine strike is non-magnetic, rings clearly, and shows crisp menorah and skyline detail.
Could I confuse it with another year in the series?
Yes. Israel issued a silver 10 Lirot for Independence Day in several years with the same emblem style but different reverse subjects. Confirm the Jerusalem view and the 1968 date rather than relying on the menorah alone.