VIRTUAL JEWISH MUSEUM

Scenic Bike Ride

Antiquities.35_edited

Antiquities.29.stone weights

CIJL_edited

Roman Coinage

CIJL.plus_edited

CIJL.plus.Hay medals._edited

CIJL.pus_edited

CIJL.Plus_edited

Pidyon Nefesh_

Hayn Votin Token

Masonic Token.initials

Bobov Token

Shekel tokens

cijl.Satmar_edited

Pidyon Haben coin.1970-72.obv and rev

Israel has struck special issues specifically for the Pidyon Haben/ Redemption of Firstborn Son ceremony. This design was used 1970-72. It quotes the biblical command, declares it a 'Pidyon Haben coin', and is denominated 10 Liras. It is 37 mm and contains 26 grams of 900 fine silver.

Pidyon Haben coin.1973-75_edited

A new design from 1973 - 75 pictures a tray on which the baby could be place, and the 5 shekels used in the ceremony. The reverses were revised and the denomination increased to 25 Liras in 1975. Size and silver content remained unchanged.

Pidyon Haben coin.1976

A new design for 1976 shows five images of the pomegranate branch that had appeared on the ancient Jewish shekels of the 2nd revolt. Curiously, the diameter increased to 40 mm., the weight increased to 30 grams, while the fineness of silver reduced to .800. The crucial actual silver content was maintained.

Pidyon Haben coin.1976 & 1977

The 1977 issue returned to the previous specifications.

Pidyon Haben medal. 1982

in 1982, a new design was issued. It does not have a denomination and declares that it is a 'Pidyon Haben Medal'. The design creatively combines the ancient shekel images of cup and pomegranate branch. Diameter 34 mm. It weighs 22 grams of .925 fine silver. That constitutes 20 grams of pure silver, a lesser standard than previously.

2005 medal. Need photo

A newer version of the P.H. medal was issued in 2005. The design portrays a baby on a tray and 5 shekels nearby. The specifications are 37 mm., with 26 grams of .925 silver, a return to the higher initial standard.

Pidyon. U.S. half dollar

This U.S. half dollar from the 1870s was punch engraved with the words 'Pidyon Haben' - Redemption of the (first-born) Son. It weighs 12.1 g. now because it was scraped to create the engraving. Originally it weighed 12.5 grams. Ten of them would be needed to perform the ceremony.

Pidyon Haben.U.S. half dollar

this side has the engraved name 'Yitzchak ben Gavriel'. Presumably that was the name of the baby.

P.H.half dol_edited

P.H.half dol_edited

Private medal.London

This medal was reportedly made in London in 1955. It weighs 20.8 grams. 5 of them would be required. Purity is not marked. The hands are surrounded by the Priestly blessing. The reverse reads '1 Shekel silver' and quotes the relevant Biblical verse. 'Shekel Echad Kesef'. 1955.

Private Medal.Israel

Produced in Israel by the Shekel Corp. It weighs 23.8 g which times 5 equals about 120 grams. The hands side quotes the Priestly Blessing and pictures an ancient shekel. the reverse quotes the relevant Biblical verse. 'Yevorechicha' produced by Shekel corp.

Private medal.'Sela'

This private medal reads 'Sela for Redemption of the Son'. Sela is the frequently used Aramaic word for Shekel. It weighs 20.1 g., Around both perimeters are relevant Biblical quotes.

Private medal.'shekel'

This private medal weighs 20.4+ grams. It states 'Pure Silver' but doesn't mention the numerical purity. In the center we read 'Shekel' on one side and see the pomegranate symbol from ancient Jewish shekels on the other. Around both sides "Sanctify to me every firstborn'.