Dali's connection with Judaism is not always very clear. A Catholic by religion, even though he was inclined to admire the crazy dictators from the 1930s and 1940s, he showed genuine interest towards Jewish themes, some of them of Zionist nature.
In 1967-1968 he created series dedicated to the Aliyah, the Birth of Israel, and among his graphic works there is also a drawing of the Western Wall and a Menorah.
One of the most interesting works I've seen are the 12 .999 silver coins representing the 12 Tribes of Israel. The work was commissioned by the State of Israel in 1973, on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the creation of the state. On one side of the coin is the big signature of Dali, the mention of the anniversary period 1948-1973, and a menorah in the middle. The menorah are designed in high relief. On the upper low side it is written the name of the tribe. On the other part of the coin there is represented the symbol of each tribe.
Each design is unique and beautiful in itself, but I especially loved the unicorne for Joseph, the beautiful boat of Levi and the entire design chosen for the tribe of Reuben.
The 12 coins were placed in an elegant wooden box. The emission has a limited numbered edition of 5,733 corresponding to the Jewish year when the event was celebrated. Nowadays, many were bought by collectors of Dali works, entered the patrimony of Dali Museums or can be bought from eBay or auction houses, as a full box or as separate items.
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