Bring Biblical history to life with a 2011 Elijah in the Whirlwind Silver Proof NIS 2 commemorative coin, produced by the Holy Land Mint of Israel.

This .925 sterling silver coin weighs 28.8 grams. As a proof version, this coin is particularly well made, ideal for the collector or long-term investor.

The 2011 Elijah in the Whirlwind features a critical scene from the story of the prophet Elijah from the book King II of the Bible. In the story, the prophet Elijah is ready to go with God, but his assistant Elisha is not ready to see his beloved master depart. While the pair are out walking, a chariot of fire, pulled by flaming horses, descends from the sky and takes Elijah up to heaven in a great whirlwind. Elisha, overwhelmed and distraught by this powerful moment, cries and eventually puts on Elijah’s mantle, taking his proper place as God’s servant.

This hugely dramatic scene has been carefully rendered on the 2011 Elijah in the Whirlwind coin. Designer Yaacov Enyedi’s image on the obverse shows Elisha reaching up as Elijah, riding in a fiery chariot, gestures in wonder at the flame-tailed horses pulling him upward. All around, the wind whips in chaotic swirls.

The reverse has the denomination of two New Sheqels in the center, with “Israel” written below in English, Hebrew and Arabic. The inscription ELIJAH WENT UP BY A WHIRLWIND INTO HEAVEN 2 Kings 2:11 is written in English and Arabic around the rim, and in Hebrew in artistic flame-like letters in the top-right. The Israel State Emblem is denoted in the top-center.

The coin is 38.70 mm in diameter, and is part of a very limited mintage of only 2,800. Be sure to grab your 2011 Elijah in the Whirlwind Silver Proof NIS 2 coin before it goes up in smoke.