Bidspirit auction | Israel - 1 Agora 1961

Israel - 1 Agora 1961 - PCGS SP 64 - A special and rare coin, Proof, which is one of the few that were not put into circulation. This type was unknown until the closure of the mint in England that minted these coins, and therefore is not listed in catalog - Very high grading, mintage unknown (this type was not known in catalogs until after the mint closed). According to the grading company, there are only 4 units that have been graded and this is the highest grade, as the remaining coins have been put into circulation and it is no longer possible to distinguish them from this type of coin. The King’s Norton Mint in Birmingham, England, was one of the most important private mints operating during the 19th and the first half of the 20th century. The mint produced coins, medals, and tokens for British colonies and many other nations around the world, and was renowned for its high striking quality and exceptional precision. The coins struck in Proof finish were made in very limited quantities, usually for internal testing, presentation, or official display. These coins feature brilliant, sharp, and highly detailed surfaces, and are considered extremely rare today due to their exceptional quality and historical significance. After the mint’s closure, the remaining coins - including several Israeli issues - were sent to the PCGS grading company for preservation and authentication, since once such coins show wear, it becomes impossible to identify their origin or distinguish them from regular circulation strikes. According to PCGS data, only a few dozen examples of each type have survived, making them exceptionally rare and highly sought after in the world of numismatics. The name ”agora” is given to three coins that have been used in the State of Israel since 1960. Each of them was a subdivision of the main currency used at the time. Between 1960 and 1980, the penny was the hundredth part of the Israeli pound. Between 1980 and 1985, the agora was the hundredth part of the (old) shekel, and since 1985 the agoray has been the hundredth part of the new shekel. Face: Appreciated ”1 agora”, The year of the Hebrew imprint Back: three grains, ”Israel” in Hebrew and Arabic