1979 Israel 100 Sheqalim – Ze’ev Jabotinsky & Herod’s Gate
Pick# 47a | Series V: Jewish and Israeli Personalities
Issued in 1979 (Hebrew year תשל"ט), this 100 Sheqalim note from Israel honors Ze’ev Jabotinsky—activist, writer, and founder of Revisionist Zionism. As part of Series V, which celebrates influential Jewish figures, this note reflects Israel’s ideological roots and architectural heritage.
Printed by Royal Joh. Enschedé in the Netherlands, the Pick# 47a variant is distinguished by its clean reverse design—without the two brown squares found on the rarer 47b version. It remains a popular and accessible entry point for collectors of Israeli banknotes.
Design Highlights
Obverse:
Portrait of Ze’ev Jabotinsky
The Shuni fortress near Binyamina
Denomination and “Bank of Israel” in Hebrew
Hebrew year: תשל"ט (1979)
Reverse:
Herod’s Gate (Sha’ar HaPerachim / Bab al-Zahra) in Jerusalem’s Old City
Microtext: “Jerusalem” woven into the background
“Bank of Israel” and denomination in Hebrew, Arabic, and English
Watermark:
Profile of Ze’ev Jabotinsky
Security Features:
Solid security thread on the left
Look-through feature in the zeros of “100”
Tactile lines for the visually impaired
Black serial numbers
Specifications
Attribute Details
Country Israel
Year 1979 (Hebrew year תשל"ט)
Denomination 100 Sheqalim
Issuer Bank of Israel
Printer Royal Joh. Enschedé, Netherlands
Size 159 × 76 mm
Material Paper
Pick Number P# 47a
Watermark Ze’ev Jabotinsky
Status Demonetized (as of 1986)
Why Add This Note to Your Collection?
This 1979 100 Sheqalim note (P47a) is ideal for:
Collectors of Zionist history and political movements
Enthusiasts of Jerusalem architecture and cultural landmarks
Fans of mid-20th century Israeli banknote design
Those curating notes featuring influential Jewish figures
With its dignified portrait of Jabotinsky and the iconic Herod’s Gate, this note captures the ideological and architectural spirit of Israel’s formative years—at an accessible price point for collectors.
