I've seen a lot of special coins in this little self African Coin quest of mine.
Yet no one as special or exciting as thisπ.
This is a coin of military power, showcasing one of the most successful strikes of counter-terrorism in Africa and possibly the world, while in the same time paying homage to the man possible.
Front
Back
This was an intriguing coin to investigate about, the action almost as good as the Marcus Ryker Series I'm currently reading.
In 1976, an International Commercial Aircraft, an Airbus A300, operated by Air France during the cities of Tel Aviv and France. During a stopover at Athens, the aircraft was hijacked by two Palestinian and two German terrorists.
These hijackers diverted the plane to Libya and then Uganda before landing at Entembe International Airport, where they were joined by other fellow terrorist.
It was later found out that the then Ugandan dictator, Idi Amin was in support this terrorist group.
The group, having hijacked the plane filled with 248 passengers on 27 June 1926, offered them up as bargaining chips for the release of 40 Palestinians and affiliated militants being held in Israel and 13 other prisoners held in 4 different countries.
The passengers which were held as hostages, were also the stopwatch as every day ends without Israel conceding to the terrorists demands, one hostage was killed.
Israel representatives first debated on wether to concede or respond with force, the force side of the debate won and immediately they put a strike team to go hunt down the terrorists and save the hostages.
Thus the operation was initiated by nightfall of July 4th 1976. 100 commandos were flown by Israeli transport jets over 4000km to Uganda.
In just 1hr 30 mins, these commandos has neutralized all the terrorists and saved the remaining hostages had 3 (had been killed) , with only one fatality on their side, a Yonatan Netanyahu, the older brother of Benjamin Netanyahu who later became Israel's Prime Minister.
The operation, due to it's success and to honor the fallen has been unofficially christened the Yonatan/Jonathan Operation
Click here to read more
As one can see, this is a coin with such a wholly awesome significance and history.
Plus the design is not too shabby in itself.
It's been released in bronze too and that piece is magnificent as it has a slightly goldfish tinge.
This silver coin though goes for at least 105$ but as always that price is depending on the coins condition πποΈ.
