The State of Israel was established in 1948 as a homeland for the Jewish people. Israel lies at the eastern edge of the Mediterranean Sea. It is bordered by Egypt on the southwest, Jordan on the east, Syria on the northeast, and Lebanon on the north. Until the early 1990s Israel was in conflict with its Arab neighbors, including five wars from 1948 to 1982. Israel also has had to forge a nation from diverse Jewish people from all parts of the world, while trying to integrate a large Arab minority. While striving to perpetuate the religious and cultural traditions that contributed to the Zionist rebirth, the tiny nation was also forced to become a first-rate military power.
COINS ARE ALL PICTURED THE SAME SIZE FOR CLARITY SEE DESCRIPTION FOR SIZES