Pair of Israel 1981 & 1982 Piedfort Mint Sets, 2pcs (light wear)

Pair of Israel 1981 & 1982 Piedfort Mint Sets, 2pcs (light wear)

Piedfort (sometimes spelt "piefort") coins are unusually thick -- usually, twice the thickness and weight of a normal coin. Originating in France in the 12th century, piedforts were probably originally produced as guides for engravers, but they soon became prestigious collector's items amongst royals, nobility, and dignitaries. This is the historical beginning of coin collecting as a hobby, and the primary reason for its designation as "the hobby of kings."

These mint sets from Israel contain five and six coins, respectively. The 1981 set comes with 1 agora, 5 agorot, 10 agorot, 1/2 sheqel, and 1 sheqel coins. The 1982 set comes with 1 agora, 5 agorot, 10 agorot, 1/2 sheqel, 1 sheqel, and 5 sheqel coins. Israel's coinage is inspired by ancient Jewish motifs, recalling events such as the reign of the Heridoian tetrarchy and the Jewish-Roman wars of the first and second centuries.

Please note, these sets exhibit some wear, especially along the edges of their cardboard holders.