5 Prutot Israel

The 5 Prutot coin directly borrowed its design from ancient Judean shekels, a deliberate nod to Israel's historical roots that appeared on its very first circulation pieces in 1949.

That choice made sense for a young nation piecing together its identity. Struck in aluminum, these coins circulated widely during Israel's early years, helping stabilize an economy fresh from conflict. They varied slightly over the production run until 1957, with some years showing minor design tweaks or edge variations.

We don't know the exact mintage figures for every year; records from that era are spotty. What is clear is that these coins saw heavy use, turning up in pockets and markets across the country.

People sometimes claim they're ultra-rare today. Hardly.