Israel 2009 Masada 1 New Sheqel Silver Prooflike BU Coin

2nd in the UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITES IN ISRAEL Coin Series. Scarce, only 1,800 authorized. Masada is deemed with the highest historical and archeological importance. On a steep cliff in the Judean Desert, 450 meters above the Dead Sea, Herod the Great built a glorious palace and refuge for himself in case of revolt. The massive system of Roman fortifications surrounding the site is the most intact of all remnants of its kind. Masada serves as a symbol of the love of freedom and the willingness to fight, even until death. The last fighters with their families, a group of 960, who refused to surrender to the overwhelming might of the Roman Empire remained under siege for three years in an awe-inspiring display of valor. These bold and daring Jews preferred death to surrender and pledged "to remain free men". The fall of Masada denoted the end of the Great Revolt against Rome. With the establishment of the State of Israel, Masada became a symbol of heroism and bravery on which the Zionist ethos and the identity of the new generation of Israeli youth were built. "Masada shall not fall again" has become an expression of the determination to defend the Jewish Homeland at all costs. Obverse: The face value in Hebrew and English, the State emblem, the word "Israel" in three languages and the mint year; the image of Masada appears below. Reverse: An image of the cliff of Masada from the north with Herod's palace; the UNESCO and World Heritage Sites symbols; the word "MASADA" is inscribed along the upper border in Hebrew, English and Arabic.