November 1, 2018 – The winner of the 2018 Shekel Prize for the best work published in 2017 on the subject of Judaean, Jewish or Holy Land numismatics is Yigal Arkin, for his book “Money Time, 70 Years of Currency in Israel.”
Yigal Arkin, winner of the 2018 Shekel Prize. Photo: Howard Berlin.
Money Time tells the story of the banknotes and coins of the State of Israel over its 70 year history, from the day of the declaration of independence on May 14, 1948. The book reviews the banknotes and coins of the British Mandate period in Palestine and those issued by the State of Israel. Backgrounds are presented about the designs, along with illustrations relating to the personalities and places depicted on Israeli and pre-state paper money and coins.
Shekel Prize Medal, designed by Victor Huster. Photo: Mel Wacks.
The other nominees were “Israel Numismatic Research” published by the Israel Numismatic Society, “The Coinage of the First Jewish Revolt against Rome” by Robert Deutsch, and Interpreting Ancient Jewish coin Symbols by Dr. Gary Fine. The judges were Mel Wacks (chair), David Hendin, Ira Rezak, Allen Berman and Simcha Kuritzky.
Yigal Arkin is also the author of Banknotes and Coins of Israel, 1927-1998, Banknotes and Coins of Israel 1927-2006, and Monumental Money, all of which are available on Amazon.
For information on ordering Money Time, contact the publisher Isranumis Coins & Paper Money Ltd.
The Shekel Prize is awarded annually by the American Israel Numismatic Association.