20 New Sheqalim ISR Banknote (Modern Issues (1990s–Present)) 2008

20 New Sheqalim New Sheqel (Issued 2008)

The 2008 issue of the 20 New Sheqalim note was released as part of the Bank of Israel’s ongoing modernisation programme for its polymer-influenced security series, coinciding with a period of renewed investment in the nation’s banknote infrastructure. Issued sixty years after the founding of the State of Israel, the series as a whole reflected a conscious effort to honour foundational figures of Zionist and Israeli cultural life. The denomination carries particular resonance, celebrating one of the most influential voices in the movement that led to Israeli statehood. This note remains current legal tender and continues to circulate throughout Israel today.

On the front, the dominant feature is the engraved portrait of Moshe Sharett, the second Prime Minister of Israel and a pivotal figure in the nation’s diplomatic history, rendered in fine intaglio engraving with strong tonal depth across his face, collar, and jacket. The portrait occupies the lower right portion of the note and is executed in dark olive-green and charcoal tones, with detailed cross-hatching capturing the texture of his clothing and the contours of his features. Behind and around the portrait, columns of Hebrew text appear in small, closely spaced lines running vertically across the central field, consistent with excerpts from writings associated with Sharett, printed in a pale green-grey tone that contrasts subtly with the background. To the upper left, a white six-pointed Star of David — the Magen David — is prominently displayed against a pale background, serving both as a design motif and a national emblem. The large numeral “20” appears in bold, stylised form in deep teal-green on the right-hand side, oriented diagonally and rendered with considerable size to aid denomination recognition. An Israeli flag is depicted in the upper right quadrant in blue and white, adding a further patriotic element to the composition. The issuing authority name appears in Hebrew along the lower margin, alongside the year of issue, 2009, and additional Hebrew text identifying the series. The overall colour palette of the front transitions from pale cream and light olive on the left through deeper teals and greens towards the right, with a security strip visible as an embedded metallic thread running vertically through the note. The denomination “20” also appears in smaller red numerals in the lower left corner. A signature associated with the Bank of Israel governor appears in the upper left area above the Hebrew text column.

The reverse features a bold large “200” — which upon close inspection reads as the stylised “20” denomination mirrored and enlarged — in olive-green tones dominating the upper left. The words “NEW SHEQEL” and “BANK OF ISRAEL” are printed in clear Latin-script capital letters in dark green running vertically along the left edge, providing the English-language identification of the issuing institution and currency. A tall broadcasting or communications tower is depicted in the central upper portion of the reverse, rendered in detailed grey-green engraving, evoking the Kol Israel broadcasting infrastructure associated with Sharett’s era. Below and to the right of the tower, a group scene is depicted in muted grey-green tones, showing a cluster of figures — men, women, and children — that appears to represent a historical moment of immigration or gathering, consistent with imagery of early Israeli statehood and the ingathering of Jewish communities. Hebrew text in small script runs in a central block to the right of the group scene, and additional Arabic-script text appears along the lower left edge, reflecting Israel’s bilingual and trilingual banknote tradition. The serial number “1101040906” appears twice — once vertically along the right edge in dark green and once horizontally along the lower left — in clear, evenly spaced numerals. The denomination “20” is repeated in large red numerals in the lower right corner, providing a bold, high-contrast identifier. A Star of David watermark motif is visible in the upper right corner. The overall reverse palette is dominated by olive, sage green, and grey-white tones, with the red “20” providing the sole warm accent.

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