The Bank of Israel was founded on December 1st 1954. During the first years (1955 - 1968), 14 different banknotes with prefixes before the serial number were printed. They were put into circulation up to the year of 1974. All ceased to be legal tender in 31.3.1984. All other Bank of Israel banknotes were issued without prefix. For clarification: a prefix means an alphabetic letter or an alphabetic letter with a numeral placed to the left or to the right of the serial number (see pictures below). In 1955 issues, the prefix is on the left side of the serial number. In all other issues the prefix is on the right side. To the best of my knowledge, today there is no collector in the world who possesses a complete collection of all prefixes, in UNC condition.

According to my research, the full prefix collection of Bank of Israel notes, issued between 1955 - 1968, contains 1160 notes as follows:

Year Color of prefix and Serial number Denomination Description of the note Prefix Quantity Exist 1955 Black -//- -//- -//- Red Black Red 500 PR. 1. I.L. 5. I.L. 10. I.L. 10. I.L. 50 I.L. 50 I.L. Ruins of Bir'am Synagogoue Landscape of upper Galilee Negev Landscape Landscape of Jezre'el valley -//- Landscape of Road to Jerusalem -//- 16 16 18 20 13 1 1 1958 Black -//- Red Brown Black -//- Blue Red Brown 1/2 I.L. 1 I.L. 1 I.L. 1 I.L. 5 I.L. 10 I.L. 10 I.L. 10 I.L. 10 I.L. Soldier Girl Fisherman -//- -//- Laborer Scientist -//- -//- -//- 42 63 32 52 41 51 21 13 16 1960 Black Red Blue Green Brown 50 I.L. -//- -//- -//- -//- Young Pioneers -//- -//- -//- -//- 11 9 10 17 17 1968 Black Red Black Blue Green Black Blue Black Red Brown 5 I.L. 5 I.L. 10 I.L. 10 I.L. 10 I.L. 50 I.L. 50 I.L. 100 I.L. 100 I.L. 100 I.L. Prof. Albert Einstein -//- Poet Chaim N. Bialik -//- -//- Dr. Chaim Weizmann -//- Dr. Theodor Herzl -//- -//- 162 136 31 16 17 65 28 77 83 65 Total Fore Complete Collection 1160

Valuation Of The Banknotes:

1. The Banknotes With Prefixes

The valuation of the notes with prefixes are according to their rarity in the local market. Not every prefix is available in "unc" condition. Prices can be obtain on request (fax' e-mail, or mail) according to the grade of the banknote. For grading of banknotes see below.

2. The Banknotes Without Prefixes

The valuation of the notes without prefixes is according to the first digit in the serial number. For example banknotes of Herzl 100 lirot start with 4,5,6,7,8 and 9. Each digit has it's own value. Pick numbers are according to 9th edition of world paper money catalogue.

Banknote grading :

Uncirculated – a perfectly preserved note with crisp clean paper and sharp square corners. About uncirculated – an almost perfect note with only very minor handling. May have a bank counting fold at a corner or one light fold through the center. A note in this condition cannot be creased, a crease being a hard fold which has broken the surface of the note. Paper is clean and with square corners. Extremely fine – a very attractive note with only light handling. May have a maximum of three light folds or one strong crease. Paper is clean and corners may show only the slightest evidence of rounding. There may also be the slightest sign of wear where a fold meets the edge. Very fine – an attractive note, but with more evidence of handling and wear. May have several folds both vertically and horizontally. Paper may have minimal dirt but is still relatively crisp and not floppy. There are no tears into the border area, but may show slight wear. Corners also show wear but not full rounding. Fine – a note which shows considerable circulation, but is still on the desirable side. Has many folds, creases and wrinkling. Paper is not excessively dirt but may have some softness. Edges may also show much handling, with minor tears into the broader area but not extending into the design. There will be no center hole because of excessive folding. A staple hole or two may also be present.