Israel To Mint Two-Shekel Coin

A two-shekel coin is slated to go into circulation in the fourth quarter of 2007. The first batch has already been minted and is now under technical review.

As part of the review process the new currency is given to companies that use coins, e.g. vending machine operators, in order to check factors such as weight and diameter.

Before the decision to use these new coins was reached, the Bank of Israel conducted a survey that included a representative sample of the public as well as a sample of organizations that use cash, such as taxi companies and banks. The survey data reveals that the majority of the public supports bringing the new coin into circulation.