50 lirot 1960
Market Prices
31 salesAbout This Note
This is an uncirculated 1960 Bank of Israel 50 lirot note (Pick-33d) in exceptional condition, featuring pioneering settlers and an agricultural settlement theme on the obverse with a striking mosaic menorah design on the reverse. The note exhibits crisp, sharp details throughout with no signs of wear, creases, or handling, presenting the classic brown and multicolored palette characteristic of early Israeli currency. The fine line engraving and complex security features are well-preserved, making this an attractive example for collectors of early Israeli banknotes.
Common. The 1960 50 lirot note is a regular-issue banknote with substantial print runs. eBay market data shows consistent sales across multiple condition grades, with VF examples regularly selling for $3-8 and UNC examples commanding $20-30, indicating robust collector demand but no scarcity premium. The note does not appear in any recall lists or special issuance records that would restrict supply.
Issued in 1960 (Hebrew year 5720), this note commemorates the early years of the modern State of Israel, with its obverse depicting pioneers and agricultural development in the Negev desert—a central theme in Israel's nation-building narrative. The reverse features a mosaic of the menorah from an ancient synagogue in Mirim, connecting contemporary Israeli identity to ancient Jewish heritage and religious traditions. This early issue reflects the Bank of Israel's effort to establish a distinctive national currency featuring both pioneer symbolism and archaeological/religious iconography.
The obverse features two pioneering figures—a man and woman rendered in brown and reddish tones—positioned against a landscape of rolling hills, scattered trees, and rural farm buildings representing agricultural settlement in the Negev desert. An ornate decorative oval frame with geometric borders in brown and beige occupies the right side. The reverse displays an intricate geometric mosaic pattern representing the ancient menorah (seven-branched candlestick) from the synagogue of Mirim in the Negev, composed of small tile-like elements arranged in symmetrical patterns with circular medallions and heart-shaped design elements. A matching decorative oval frame with geometric borders appears on the left side of the reverse.
Front side: '50' (denomination in numerals, upper left and right); 'בנק ישראל' (Bank of Israel in Hebrew); 'החמישים שנות ישראליות' (Fifty Years of Israel in Hebrew). Back side: '50' (denomination in numerals, lower left and right); 'BANK OF ISRAEL' (in English); 'בנק ישראל' (Bank of Israel in Hebrew); Serial numbers with Hebrew identifiers 'ת/2' appearing twice on the note.
Intaglio (engraved) printing, evidenced by the fine line engraving, detailed cross-hatching, stippling, and complex portrait rendering visible throughout both sides. The note was printed by JEZ (Joh. Enschedé en Zonen), the renowned Dutch security printer, as indicated by the Pick catalog designation P-33d. Security features include fine line work, complex geometric patterns, and dual serial numbers.
This example is cataloged as Pick-33d, one of six known variants (P-33a through P-33e and P-33s) for the 1960 50 lirot denomination. All variants share the JEZ printer attribution. The specific variety would be further identified by examining signature combinations, serial number prefixes, or subtle design elements, but the P-33d designation indicates this represents a documented variant in the standard Pick catalog sequence. The serial number visible (796607 with ת/2 identifier) appears to use the green serial number characteristic of this issue.
