Series B of the Lira - Representative Figures Series

The abstract patterns of the first series did not meet with public approval. When criticism mounted, the Governor decided to issue a new series, and appointed a public committee to plan the notes. The committee selected drawings of people illustrating different walks of Israeli life (a female pioneer-soldier, fisherman, scientist, etc.) as the principal motif and archaeological subjects as the secondary motif.
The form and size of the notes differed from those of the previous series. The basic sketches were the work of Israeli artists. The series was put into circulation in 1959-60, and gradually replaced the previous series.
From this series onwards, the banknotes of Israel are printed in several state or state-controlled banknote printing works in Europe.​
  • Dimensions
    130 X 72 mm.​
  • Designer
    Shamir Brothers, Jacob Zim.​
  • Issue date
    October 15, 1959.​
  • Cancellation date
    March 31, 1984.​
  • Color
    Green

Front: ​

Pioneer-woman soldier holding a basket of oranges against a background of fields; the denomination "1/2 Israeli Lira" and "Bank of Israel" in Hebrew.​

Back:​

Tomb of the Sanhedrin in Jerusalem; "Bank of Israel" in Hebrew, English, and Arabic.​

Watermark:​

The face of the woman soldier.​

Security thread:​

On the left side of the banknote.​

Color of numbering:

Black.

Signatures:

Governor of the Bank David Horowitz; Chairman of the Advisory Council J.E. Nebenzahl.​

  • Dimensions
    135 X 75 mm.
  • Designer
    Shamir Brothers, Jacob Zim.
  • Issue date
    October 15, 1959.
  • Cancellation date
    March 31, 1984.
  • Color
    Blue

Front:

A fisherman carrying fishing equipment against a background of a bay; the denomination "1 Israeli Lira" and "Bank of Israel" in Hebrew.

Back:

A mosaic floor from the ancient synagogue at Usfiya on Mt. Carmel; "Bank of Israel" in Hebrew, English, and Arabic.

Watermark:

The face of the fisherman.

Security thread:

On the left side of the banknote.

Color of numbering:

Black. Red (June 1964).

Signatures:

Governor of the Bank David Horowitz; Chairman of the Advisory Council J.E. Nebenzahl.

Note:

Starting with the 1966 reprint, the security thread on the left was moved to the middle and replaced by a Morse Code signifying "Bank of Israel". The color of the numbers was changed to brown.

  • Dimensions
    140 X 78 mm.​
  • Designer
    Shamir Brothers, Jacob Zim.​
  • Issue date
    October 15, 1959.​
  • Cancellation date
    March 31, 1984.​
  • Color
    Brown

Front: ​

A laborer holding a sledge-hammer against a background of an industrial plant; the denomination "Five Israeli Liras" and "Bank of Israel" in Hebrew.​

Back:​

Roaring lion depicted on an ancient Hebrew seal found at Megiddo; "Bank of Israel" in Hebrew, English, and Arabic.​

Watermark:​

The face of the laborer.​

Security thread:​

On the left side of the banknote.​

Color of numbering:​

Black.

Signatures:​

Governor of the Bank David Horowitz; Chairman of the Advisory Council J.E. Nebenzahl.​

  • Dimensions
    150 X 82 mm.​
  • Designer
    Shamir Brothers, Jacob Zim.​
  • Issue date
    October 15, 1959.​
  • Cancellation date
    March 31, 1984.​
  • Color
    Purple

Front: ​

A scientist in a laboratory; the denomination "Ten Israeli Liras" and "Bank of Israel" in Hebrew.​

Back:​

Passage from the Isaiah Scroll, Dead Sea Scrolls; "Bank of Israel" in Hebrew, English, and Arabic.​

Watermark:​

The face of the scientist.​

Security thread:​

On the left side of the banknote.​

Color of numbering:​

Black. Red (January 1967); blue (April 1967); brown (September 1969).​

Signatures:​

Governor of the Bank David Horowitz; Chairman of the Advisory Council J.E. Nebenzahl.​

Note:​

Starting with the 1966 reprint, the security thread on the left was moved to the middle and replaced by a Morse Code signifying "Zion Jerusalem".​

  • Dimensions
    178 X 93 mm.​
  • Designer
    Shamir Brothers, Jacob Zim.​
  • Issue date
    December 9, 1960.​
  • Cancellation date
    March 31, 1984.​
  • Color
    Brown

Front: ​

Two young pioneers against a background of an agricultural settlement in the Negev; the denomination "Fifty Israeli Liras" and "Bank of Israel" in Hebrew.​

Back:​

A candelabrum from the ancient synagogue of Nirim in the Negev; "Bank of Israel" in Hebrew, English, and Arabic.​

Watermark:​

The faces of the pioneers.​

Security thread:​

In the middle of the banknote.​

Color of numbering:​

Black. Red (February 1965); blue (December 1966); green (May 1967); brown (September 1969).​

Signatures:​

Governor of the Bank David Horowitz; Chairman of the Advisory Council J.E. Nebenzahl.​

Note:​

Starting with the 1966 reprint, the security thread in the middle was moved to the left and replaced by a Morse Code signifying "Am Israel Hai" ("The people of Israel live on").​

This page was last updated on: 25/12/2025