Israel 25 Mils - 1949 - Museum Gallery

This is a bad example and an even worse photo. The first coin of the modern State of Israel is this type but with a 1948 date - they are scarce and expensive. I assume this is the common "closed link" variety. According to KM SCWC all three type/dates listed were issued on April 6, 1949.
The Anglo-Palestine Bank Ltd., which prepared the first banknotes even before the State was declared, did not prepare coins. The first steps toward issuing coins were taken by the State itself after its establishment. It was done very quickly, after realizing that there was a shortage of British Mandate coins, which were then in circulation.
Israel's government requested proposals for the design of a new coin series from the Israel Numismatics Society. Until those were ready, a coin with a value of 25 mil was issued. The term "mil" was carried over from the British Mandate. The first coin in the new series, a 50 pruta coin, was only entered into circulation on May 11, 1949.
The minting year 5708 (1948) appears only on 25 mil coins which were minted in Jerusalem; those printed in Holon bear the minting year 5709 (1949).
Date of issue: 6th of April, 1949
Complete metal composition: Aluminium (97%), Magnesium (3%)
Contemporary written information on the exact location of the Mints is sketchy and contradictory. It is presumed that an initial unsuccessful batch of coins dated 5708/1948 was minted at a workshop in the Hakirya compound in Tel Aviv (the former German Templer colony of Sarona). The balance of 5708/1948-dated coins was minted at the Michsaf cutlery factory in Holon, a fact which is well documented. Michsaf also minted a large quantity of coins dated 5709/1949, probably the "Open link" variety. Several sources indicate that a sizeable number of coins were minted in Jerusalem, but no written documentation about the location and name of the Mint is available.