Israel Bank Leumi Le-Israel B.M. Archival Metal Die Plate. The first of two metal die plates from the American Banknote Company archives being offered in this auction. The design of the plate features five different scenes from Israel, displayed in two rows. The plate measures about 250mm by 133mm and the date annotation on the top margin of 7/26/54 provides a general timeline of when this was produced. The purpose of these plates is at present unknown, with Dvir suggesting that they may have been planned for use with some type of reserve or back up currency due to the uncertainties surrounding the transition from the Bank Leumi to the Bank of Israel. The annotation at the top of the plate, Bank of Leumi - Israel, is incorrect for either bank. This rather enigmatic plate is unique and of great historic importance and is the plate illustration on page 78 in Dvir's 2022 book. The Raphael Dvir Paper Money of Israel Collection

HID09801242017

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