The Bank of Israel will begin distribution of the new two shekel coin on Sunday. The coins have already been delivered to the bank branches and will soon be made available to the public.
The currency will bear a pattern from an ancient Judean coin from the time of Yochanan Hyrcanus: two cornucopias with a pomegranate between them. This was the most common decoration on coins during the Maccabean era.
The Israel Bank says the new coin will lead to savings in production and make payment more efficient. In a survey of the general public and of bank tellers, store salesmen and taxi drivers, most supported the issuing of the new coin.