Reverse In the central part, the numeral: 1/2. Below it, inscriptions in Hebrew and English in three lines: «חדש שקל», «NEW SHEQEL» - new sheqel. Along the upper edge of the coin from left to right, the country name in Arabic, English, and Hebrew and the year of minting: «اسرائيل», «ISRAEL», «ישראל התשמ"ז» - Israel, 1987. Below - inscriptions in English and Hebrew: «HANUKKA», «חנוכה» - Hanukkah, separated by a menorah.
Obverse In the central part, a twelve-stringed lyre decorated with a rosette. To its right, the minor coat of arms of Israel.