1A.1

1A.2

"Judea Capta" sestertius of Vespasian, struck in 71 AD to celebrate the victory in the Jewish Revolt.

Note the different spelling of the word IVDEA (Judea), here without the letter A.

Even though the official IGCMC-issued "Liberation I" medal (see next medal, cat. # 1) is considered to be Israel's first Government-issued State medal, Israel's real first medal was most probably minted slightly prior to the establishment of the Israel Government Coins and Medals Corporation, also celebrating Israel's Tenth Anniversary of Independence 1948-1958. This medal was issued by the Tenth Anniversary World Committee and its design differs distinctly from the Government-issued "Liberation I" medal. This first medal, a precursor to Israel's State medals, lacks the words "State of Israel" and the State emblem on its edge, and its edge inscription reads: ISRAEL GOVERNMENT APPROVED ISSUE 1948-1958.

The obverse shows an Israeli worker holding a hoe over his right shoulder, and a woman carrying a sheaf of corn, both standing under a seven-branched palm tree with two clusters of fruit. The text around the rim reads "A decade of freedom for Israel 5718 [1958]". In contrast to the Liberation I medal, the word "Jerusalem" is added below the palm tree.

The reverse depicts a Roman coin struck by Emperor Vespasian in 71 AD on the occasion of the conquest of Judea. On the left stands Vespasian the victor and on the right a mourning Hebrew sits under a palm tree. The text on the Roman coin reads IVDAEA CAPTA (Judea captured). The letters S.C. stand for "Senatus Consultum" (by order of the Senate). The Hebrew text near the rim reads "Judea in exile 3830 [70 AD]". To the left and right are chains, symbolizing captivity and bondage.

First State sponsored medal, several patterns struck.

Before deciding on the final design of this first-ever officially sponsored and minted medal, several patterns were struck by John Pinches of London. Rejected trial strikes are known to exist in copper and silver-plate with diameters of 27 mm, 42 mm, 43 mm and 45 mm. The patterns pictured here have a diameter of 43 mm (top) and 27 mm (bottom).

Cat. # 1.2, 1.3 &  # 1.8
plugs on obverse

Cat. # 1.5

uniface

1.1

Kretschmer

1.2

?

1.3

?

1.4

1.5

1.6

1.7

1.8

1.9

1.10

1.11

"Judea Capta" sestertius of Vespasian, struck in 71 AD to celebrate the victory in the Jewish Revolt.

Note the different spelling of the word IVDEA (Judea), here without the letter A.

The Liberation I medal is Israel's first State medal, issued in 1958 to commemorate the nation's 10th Anniversary of Independence. The medal symbolizes two extremes. Its reverse remembers the destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans in 70 AD, the subsequent end of the existence of the people of Israel as a sovereign entity, and the beginning of an almost 1900 years long Diaspora. The medal's obverse celebrates Israel's rebirth as a free nation in 1948.

The obverse shows a farmer planting a tree and a woman holding her child, under a seven-branched palm tree with two clusters of fruit. The text around the rim reads "A decade of freedom for Israel 5718 [1958]".

The reverse depicts a Roman coin struck by Emperor Vespasian in 71 AD on the occasion of the conquest of Judea. On the left stands Vespasian the victor and on the right a mourning Hebrew sits under a palm tree. The text on the Roman coin reads IVDAEA CAPTA (Judea captured). The letters S.C. stand for "Senatus Consultum" (by order of the Senate). The Hebrew text near the rim reads "Judea in exile 3830 [70 AD]".

An unknown number of bronze 59 mm and silver 61 mm medals have on their obverse two distinct punch marks. These result from the fact that medals continued to be minted from dies that had been invalidated by drilling two holes in them. The projections left on the medals were then removed and the medals polished, leaving crude punch marks and sometimes polish marks as well. In numismatic jargon these punch marks are called "plugs". Some medals show more than two "plugs". The medal depicted here has one plug on the left and a double plug on the right, a relatively common occurrence. Although not clearly visible, crude polish marks appear diagonally above the kneeling man's head.

* The silver plated copper version with plugs is undocumented, and its origin is therefore uncertain; most probably unofficially silver plated at a later stage.

VALOUR
State Medal

1958 / 5718

Two reverse varieties exist

Left: The top and bottom Hebrew letters Lamed are linked together.

Right: The top and bottom Hebrew letters Lamed are separated by a distinct dividing line.

Restruck with AINA emblem on reverse, presented to AINA tour participants in 1980; matte finish

Cat. # 2.6

2.1

2.2

2.3

2.4

State emblem, STATE OF ISRAEL (H+E), STERLING (E)

2.5

2.6

2.7

State emblem, STATE OF ISRAEL (H+E), SILVER 935 (H), ser. #

The Valour medal was issued to commemorate the 10th Anniversary of the establishment of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). The medal honors the valor of those who fought for a free Jewish nation, from the early days of the Yishuv until the War of Independence.

The medal's obverse depicts the Roaring Lion memorial at Tel Hai in Upper Galilee, commemorating the heroism of Joseph Trumpeldor and his comrades in 1920. The biblical passage "For the builders everyone had his sword girded by his side" (Nehemiah 4:12) symbolizes the necessity for the IDF to be ever vigilant.

On the reverse appears the emblem of the IDF, a sword entwined by an olive branch. The biblical quote reads "Peace be within thy walls" (Psalms 127:7).

1959

B'NAI B'RITH CONVENTION IN JERUSALEM

Official Medal

1959 / 5719

Cat. # 3.3 reverse with dedication in English.

3.1

Zechovoy

3.2

3.3

Zechovoy

3.4

State emblem, STATE OF ISRAEL (H+E), SILVER 935 (H), SILVER (E)

The World Jewish Order of B'nai B'rith ("Sons of the Covenant") is the oldest continually operating Jewish service organization in the world. It was founded in New York City by Henry Jones and 11 others on October 13, 1843. The organization is engaged in a wide variety of community service and welfare activities, including the promotion of Jewish rights, assisting hospitals and victims of natural disasters, awarding scholarships to Jewish college students, and opposing anti-Semitism and racism.

The 1959 convention medal depicts on its obverse a Menorah - a seven-armed candelabrum - the organization's emblem.

The reverse of the medal sold to collectors shows the official 10th Anniversary of Israel's independence logo.

The version presented to convention participants has on its reverse a dedication in English.

TEL AVIV 50^TH ANNIVERSARY

State Medal

1959 / 5719

4.1

4.2

4.3

The first auction of plots on the sandy wastelands north of Jaffa (1909).

The city of Tel Aviv was founded in 1909 by a group of Jewish residents of Jaffa, who purchased a large tract of sand dunes to the north of Jaffa port. The name Tel Aviv ("Hill of Spring") was taken from the title of Theodor Herzl's utopian book Altneuland and freely translated into Hebrew by Nahum Sokolow, a Zionist leader, writer, translator and journalist, himself a resident of the first modern Hebrew-speaking city. Today Tel Aviv may only be second to Jerusalem in population and size, but it is by far Israel's most important economical, financial and cultural center. In 1959 Tel Aviv celebrated its 50th Anniversary.

The medal's obverse is dedicated to the humble beginnings of Tel Aviv in 1909, the waves of the Mediterranean against the backdrop of barren sand dunes. The biblical quote around the rim reads "Though thy beginning was small, yet thy latter end will greatly increase" (Job 8:7).

The reverse shows a schematic rendition of Tel Aviv anno 1959, a large and prosperous city.

FIRST INTERNATIONAL HARP COMPETITION

Official Medal

1959 / 5719

5.1

5.2

Zechovoy

5.3

Hecht

5.4

5.5

5.6

State emblem, STATE OF ISRAEL (H+E), SILVER 935 (H), SILVER (E)

The harp, one of the oldest known musical instruments, features prominently in the Bible. King David, the poet king, was an ardent harp player.

The medal's obverse shows a figure of King David playing a harp.

On the reverse appears the word Harp in Hebrew, with the Hebrew letter B shaped like a harp. The text and dedication are in French.

Edge markings exist in different sizes and depths.

1960

HADASSAH

State Medal

1960 / 5720

Cat. # 6.1, 6.3, 6.4 & 6.6 - obverse without text, reverse with English inscription below building (generic type)

Cat. # 6.2 - obverse with English dedication

Cat. #  6.6 & 6.7 - reverse without English inscription below building

Varieties in details on obverse:

Left: Cat. # 6.4, 6.6 & 6.8 - arms of nurse showing
Right: Cat. # 6.5 & 6.7 - arms of nurse not showing.

6.1

6.2

6.3

6.4

6.5

6.6

6.7

6.8

The Hadassah hospital in the Jerusalem neighborhood of Ein Kerem was opened in 1960. Its previous location at Mount Scopus was cut off from the Jewish part of the city after a massacre in April 1948 when 77 staff members lost their lives. After independence in May 1948, during the 19 years Jerusalem was divided between Israel and Jordan, the Mount Scopus facility - an Israeli demilitarized enclave in Jordanian East Jerusalem - stood empty, except for a small contingent of Israeli policemen. From 1960 until 1975, when the Mount Scopus hospital reopened its doors, Hadassah Ein Kerem was Jerusalem's major hospital. Then, as well as today, the Ein Kerem branch of the Hadassah Medical Center is regarded as a world-class medical facility, the most advanced in Israel.

The obverse of the Hadassah Inauguration medal shows in its incused area a nurse holding an infant in her arms.

The medal's reverse depicts the Hadassah hospital at Ein Kerem,

The medal comes in a multitude of varieties; with or without the nurse's arms visible on its obverse, without or with obverse dedication, with or without English inscription on its reverse, as well as several edge inscription varieties.

BAR KOCHBA

State Medal

1960 / 5720

7.1

7.2

Hecht

7.3

7.4

7.5

7.6

In 1960, an archaeological expedition working in caves in the Judean desert overlooking the Dead Sea, discovered a bundle of papyrus, containing letters written by Simon Bar Kochba. Between 132 and 135 AD Bar Kochba led the the second Jewish revolt against the Romans. The Bar Kochba letters are viewed by archaeologists and historians as documents of major historical significance. Professor Yigal Yadin, who led the expedition (and was also in charge of the Massada excavations) later gave an account of the discovery of the Bar Kochba letters in his work "Bar-Kochba": "From a crevice in a canyon near the Dead Sea where it had lain for almost two thousand years came a woman's bag. From the bag came a fragile bundle of papyri inside which were wrapped four wooden slats. And as the excited archaeologists stared incredulously at the strips of wood, one name blazed out at them ... Bar-Kochba."

In the middle of the medal's obverse is an incuse in the form of an opening to a cave. Against the backdrop of the Judean desert an archaeologist is hauling up his colleague on a rope ladder.

On its reverse, in the incused center, a bundle of Bar Kochba's letters is depicted. Below is (somewhat altered rendition of) a coin from the Bar Kochba era, showing a palm tree. The inscription in ancient Hebrew around the upper rim reads "Simon Bar Kochba - President of Israel".

INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS OF LOCAL AUTHORITIES

Official Medal

1960 / 5721

Cat. # 8.1 common obverse, and without dedication on reverse.

Reverse with dedication from left to right:

Cat. # 8.2 dedication in English.

Cat. # 8.3 with name of recipient added.

8.1

8.2

8.3

8.4

8.5

The 15th congress of the International Union of Local Authorities met in Israel in 1960.

The obverse of the medal depicts the emblem of the congress, a stylized key incorporating a candelabrum and the Roman numeral XV. Interestingly, the the candelabrum is not a seven-armed Menorah, Israel's State emblem, but a nine-armed Hanukka lamp. Whether this design deviation is related to the fact that the congress was held in the second half of November, in close proximity to the Hanukka festival, remains an open question.

The medal's reverse shows the State emblem.

The congress delegates were presented with a version that has on its reverse a dedication by the Minister of the Interior. Some medals include the name of the recipient.

1961

PENTECOSTAL CONFERENCE

Official Medal

1961 / 5721

9.1

9.2

9.3

Pentecostalism is a spiritualist Christian movement seeking to revive the ethical concepts contained in the New Testament.

The Pentecostal Fellowship held its 6th world conference in Jerusalem, in Mai (sic) 1961.

The medal's obverse shows a wreath of leaves and plants, the emblem of the Pentecostal Fellowship, as well as a Star of David. Below appears the biblical verse "For out of Zion shall go the Law and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem (Isaiah 2:3). The words Zion and Jerusalem are in Hebrew.

The reverse shows the State emblem of Israel and a dedication with a major typo.

INTERNATIONAL PRESS INSTITUTE - IPI

Official Medal

1961 / 5721

Common obverse

Reverse from left to right:

Cat. # 10.1 & 10.2 dedication without the letter A

Cat. # 10.3 & 10.4 dedication with the letter A added

10.1

10.2

10.3

10.4

The International Press Institute held its tenth convention in Tel Aviv in 1961. The IPI thrives for a free press throughout the world and fights for freedom of information and the right of journalists to obtain information, and seeks to maintain respect for the press.

On the medal's obverse appears the IPI logo and text.

The reverse depicts Israel's State emblem and a dedication in French. Th reverse has two varieties, without and with the letter A ("to") at the end of the French dedication.

BNEI BERAQ MUNICIPALITY

Official Medal

1961 / 5721

11.1

11.2

11.3

Following the destruction of the Second Commonwealth in 70 AD, Bnei Beraq became known as a center of Torah study. The modern city of Bnei Beraq was founded in 1924 by Hassidic Jews from Poland. Today it is a major religious center, with numerous Yeshivot, Torah study centers.

On the obverse of the medal appears the emblem of Bnei Beraq.

The oldest biblical reference to Bnei Beraq, "And Yehud and Bnei Beraq and Gath Rimmon" (Joshua 19:45), appears on the reverse, below the State emblem.

BAR MITZVAH I

State Medal

1961 / 5721

Common obverse design of all types, except cat. # 12.11

Two reverse varieties

Left: small tribes

Right: large tribes

Cat. # 12.11 - obverse Hebrew letter "Kaf" variety

Cat. # 12.12 & 12.13 - keychain produced with cat. # 12.9, 12.10 & 12.11

12.1

12.2

tombac

tombac dust

12.3

12.4

12.5

12.6

12.7

12.8

12.9

12.10

12.11

12.12

12.13

12.14

12.15

12.16

12.17

In ancient Judaism, a boy who turned 13 would become Bar Mitzvah (a person to whom the commandments apply), meaning that according to Jewish law he had reached the age of majority and had become responsible for his actions. In modern Jewish practice, Bar Mitzvah strictly has a religious meaning. Upon having reached his 13th birthday, the boy is ceremoniously called up to his first Torah reading, and only from that moment onward he has become a full-fledged member of the congregation. For instance, a boy who has passed his 13th birthday is counted towards a Minyan, a quorum of ten adult males required for certain religious obligations such as a synagogue service or public prayer. In modern Israel, as well as in almost all other nations, the legal age of majority is 18, and Bar Mitzvah has merely become a festive ceremony celebrated by both religious and secular Jews.

The obverse of the Bar Mitzvah I medal shows a boy reading from a Torah scroll laid out on a Bimah (Torah reading podium). The Hebrew text reads "At thirteen to the fulfillment of the Mitzvoth" (Pirkei Avot - Ethics of the Fathers 5:21).

The medal's reverse shows the emblems of the Twelve Tribes of Israel arranged in the shape of a flower, with the State emblem in the center. The Hebrew text around the rim reads "Thirteen years to the State of Israel", and the English translation "Bar Mitzvah of the State of Israel".

The Bar Mitzvah I medal has two distinct reverse varieties. In the "small tribes" type, the image containing the tribes and State emblem is small, leaving a large empty area between the image and the text around the rim. The "large tribes" type has the tribes covering almost the entire reverse, almost touching the text around the rim.

The obverse "Kaf" variety applies to silver 19 mm medals only. Because of the the existence of identically-sized (19 mm) gold medals, silver 19 mm medals could easily be gold plated and pass as genuine gold medals, notwithstanding the weight difference. As this discovery was made only after an initial batch of silver 19 mm medals had already been sold to the public, and it had already become public knowledge that one or more unscrupulous dealers were selling fake gold plated silver medals as "genuine" gold medals, a second variety was hastily introduced, with the Hebrew letter "Kaf" added to the base of the podium on the obverse. "Kaf" is the first letter of the Hebrew word "Kessef", Silver. Nevertheless, gold plated silver medals with the added "Kaf" clearly visible, are also known to exist and occasionally offered for sale to unsuspecting buyers as "genuine" gold medals. Incidentally, "Kessef" also means Money...

PABLO CASALS

Version I

Official Medal

1961 / 5722

13.1

13.2

13.3

13.4

Pablo Casals (1876-1973) was one of the outstanding cellists of the twentieth century. The third International Violoncello Competition was held in Jerusalem, and was personally attended by Pablo Casals.

Both versions of the medal shows Casals holding a cello. Version I, sold by the IGCMC to the public has an incused area. Several other obverse design differences between both varieties are clearly visible.

The reverse of the commercially sold medal depicts a half-hidden cello, behind a panel with State emblem, without dedication.

Remark: The IGCMC records mention 1962/5722 as the year of issue. whereas the competition was held - and medals were offered for sale and presented - in the the fall of 1961 (the Hebrew year 5722 is correct).

PABLO CASALS

Version II

Official Medal

(not sold to public)

1961 / 5722

13A.1

13A.2

13A.3

Pablo Casals (1876-1973) was one of the outstanding cellists of the twentieth century. The third International Violoncello Competition was held in Jerusalem, and was personally attended by Pablo Casals.

The obverse of both versions of the medal shows Casals holding a cello. Version II, presented to participants in the competition, does not have an incused area. Other obverse design differences between both varieties are clearly visible.

The reverse depicts a half-hidden cello behind a panel with State emblem, and this version has a dedication added.

Version II was exclusively presented to participants in the contest.

Remark: The IGCMC records mention 1962/5722 as the year of issue. whereas the competition was held - and medals were offered for sale and presented - in the the fall of 1961 (the Hebrew year 5722 is correct).

SECOND INTERNATIONAL BIBLE CONTEST

State Medal

1961 / 5722

14.1

14.2

14.3

14.4

14.5

The International Bible Contest is a worldwide competition on the Jewish Bible held in Jerusalem and sponsored by the Israeli government. The early competitions were held in the late fall, but soon thereafter date of the venue was changed to Independence Day in April or May.

The obverse of the medal shows a jar holding Dead Sea scrolls, a scroll and the State emblem.

The reverse depicts an ancient oil lamp showing a Menorah relief. The biblical quote reads "Oh, how I love thy law" (Psalms 119:97). The same verse also appears in ancient Greek, based on the Septuagint.

KADMAN NUMISMATIC MUSEUM

Official Medal

1961 / 5722

Common obverse design

Reverse:
Cat. # 15.1 & 15.2 bronze medal with rim inscription "Inauguration October 1961"
Cat. # 15.3 silver medal with rim inscription "Dedication April 1962"

15.1

15.2

15.3

The Kadman Numismatic Museum, inaugurated in 1961, is now part of the Eretz Israel Museum complex in Tel Aviv and subsequently renamed "Kadman Numismatic Pavilion".  The pavilion is named after Leo Kadman, former president of the Israel Numismatic Society, who donated his entire numismatic collection - some three thousand items - to the museum.

The common obverse of the medal show a top-down view of the museum's exterior.

The reverse of the bronze medal commemorates the museum's inauguration in October 1961 (5721), and the silver medal the dedication in April 1962 (5722).

1962

WORLD COUNCIL OF SYNAGOGUES

Official Medal

1962 / 5722

Cat. # 16.3 bronze medal with recipient's name inscribed on rev.

16.1

16.2

16.3

The World Council of Synagogues was founded in 1957, with the aim to unite all conservative synagogues worldwide. The Council's first congress was held in 1962, in Israel.

On the medal's obverse, in a large incuse circle appears the emblem of the World Council of Synagogues, an 18-pointed star, containing the biblical quote "Come, let us walk in the light of the lord" (Isaiah 2:5).

The reverse has a rectangular incuse with the Hebrew text "Presented by the Office of the Prime Minister to the participants in the first convention of the World Council of Synagogues in Zion.

Some medals have an individual recipient's name inscribed on the reverse.

MODEL WORKER IN THE TOURIST INDUSTRY

GOVERNMENT TOURIST CORPORATION

Official Medal

(not sold to public)

1962 / 5722

17.1

17.2

17.3

The "Prize for the Model Worker" Medal was minted to be awarded to people whose efforts have contributed much towards the development of tourism in Israel. The first issue in bronze and gold was minted in 1962 for the Government Tourist Corporation. The second issue, bronze only, was minted in 1966 for the Ministry of Tourism.
 

On the obverse appears the legend "Prize for the Model Worker in the Tourist Industry", the State emblem and Tourism Ministry emblem (a cluster of grapes, based on: "And two carried it on a pole" (Number 13:23). On the rim is the legend "Presented by the Government Tourism Corporation".
The reverse depicts cupped hands holding grapes, orange, pomegranate and a cup of wine.

SHAVIT ROCKET I

State Medal

1962 / 5722

18.1

18.2

18.3

18.4

 In 1961 Israel successfully launched a rocket for meteorological exploration, designed built and launched by Israeli scientists, engineers and technicians. The rocket, named "Shavit II" weighed a quarter of a ton and reached a height of 80 km (50 miles).

The obverse of the medal shows a rocket soaring from a Menorah towards a star-studded sky, with the biblical verse "There shall come a star from Jacob" (Num. 25:17) on its left.

The medal's reverse depicts devices for utilizing solar energy in space, the atom symbol and an olive twig.

The silver plated bronze version is undocumented, and its origin is therefore uncertain; almost certainly unofficially silver plated at a later stage.

SHAVIT ROCKET II

Official Medal

(not sold to public)

1962 / 5722

19.1

19.2

In 1961 Israel successfully launched a rocket for meteorological exploration, designed built and launched by Israeli scientists, engineers and technicians. The rocket, named "Shavit II" weighed a quarter of a ton and reached a height of 80 km (50 miles).

The obverse of the medal shows a rocket soaring into the sky from Israel, and the biblical verse "There shall come a star from Jacob" (Num. 25:17).

The medal's reverse depicts in an incused square the State medal, the words "presented to", the signature of David Ben Gurion, and his name and function of Prime Minister.

AMERICAN JEWISH CONGRESS

Official Medal

1961 / 5721

20.1

20.2

The American Jewish Congress aims to defend Jewish rights in the USA and elsewhere, to fight antisemitism, to defend the principle of human rights for all without regard to ethnic, religious and racial origin. In addition to its loyalty to the United States, the AJC emphasizes the need to be concerned with the welfare and development of the State of Israel. In 1962 the AJC held its convention in Jerusalem.

The medal's obverse depicts the logo of the American Jewish Congress, the letters AJC forming of a Star of David with on top a traditional shofar, a ram's horn.

On the reverse of the medal, in a large incuse appears the emblem of the Government Tourist Corporation, two men carrying a large cluster of grapes.

SECOND MUSIC AND DRAMA FESTIVAL

Official Medal

1962 / 5722

21.1

21.2

The 2nd Music and Drama Festival was held in 1962, to be incorporated from 1963 onward into the Israel Festival celebrated until today.

On the obverse of the medal appears the logo of the festival, as well as texts in Hebrew and English.

On the reverse in raised squares are depicted a harp representing music and the State emblem. In the rectangles below are the dedication and a mask representing drama.

SECOND INTERNATIONAL HARP COMPETITION

Official Medal

1962 / 5722

22.1

22.2

The medal issued to commemorate the Second International Harp Competition shows on its obverse in a symmetrical incuse a royal figure holding a harp, symbolic of King David, an accomplished harp player. The Hebrew text around the raised edge reads: Second International Harp Competition, Jerusalem Elul 5762.

The reverse depicts a stylized modern harp, the French translation of the text on the obverse, dedication, as well as a small rectangular raised area intended for additional dedications.

LIBERATION II

State Medal

1962 / 5722

Restruck with AINA emblem on reverse, presented to AINA tour participants in 1981

Cat. # 23.8

23.1

23.2

23.3

23.4

23.5

23.6

23.7

23.8

23.9

23.10

23.11

23.12

23.13

23.14

23.15

23.16

"Judea Capta" sestertius of Vespasian, struck in 71 AD to celebrate the victory in the Jewish Revolt.

Note the different spelling of the word IVDEA (Judea), here without the letter A.

The Liberation I medal, Israel's first State medal issued in 1958 to commemorate the nation's 10th Anniversary of Independence, had become a great success, prompting the IGCMC to mint a second revised version in 1962, now commonly known as Liberation Medal II. In contrast to the flat 1958 issue, this medal has a high artistic appeal with deep incuses and high-relief images.

The medal symbolizes two extremes. Its reverse remembers the destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans in 70 AD, the subsequent end of the existence of the people of Israel as a sovereign entity, and the beginning of an almost 1900 years long Diaspora. The medal's obverse celebrates Israel's rebirth as a free nation in 1948.

The obverse shows a farmer planting a tree and a woman holding her child, under a seven-branched palm tree with two clusters of fruit. The text around the raised rim reads "Israel liberated 5708" in Hebrew and "Israel liberated 1948" in English.

The reverse depicts a Roman coin struck by Emperor Vespasian in 71 AD on the occasion of the conquest of Judea. On the left stands Vespasian the victor and on the right a mourning Hebrew sits under a palm tree. The text on the Roman coin reads IVDAEA CAPTA (Judea captured). The letters S.C. stand for "Senatus Consultum" (by order of the Senate). The Hebrew text near the rim reads "Judea in captivity 3830 [70 AD]".

Alike its predecessor, the Liberation Medal II became an instant success and was minted in a multitude of sizes, weights and alloys, and was used as Season's Greetings tokens encased in bookmarks.

* The silver plated bronze version is undocumented, and its origin is therefore uncertain; most probably unofficially silver plated at a later stage.

1963

UNITED JEWISH APPEAL 25^TH ANNIVERSARY

Official Medal

1963 / 5723

Name of recipient inscribed on reverse

Cat. # 24.2

24.1

24.2

24.3

24.4

The United Jewish Appeal (UJA) was the chief fund raising instrument of the Jewish community in the United States until 1999, when it was incorporated into the United Jewish Communities (UJC), together with the Council of Jewish Federations (CJF), and United Israel Appeal, Inc. (UIA). Until then it combined the fund raising effort of the Joint Distribution Committee as well as that of the Israel United Fund. The combined appeal began its activities in 1939, a time when European Jewry was about to be faced with the Holocaust. Ever since, the Jewish Agency and the State of Israel have united in their historic task of rescuing Jews from the lands of oppression and settling them in Israel.
 

The obverse of the medal shows a schematic drawing of a ship from which new arrivals to Israel are disembarking. In the center, to the left, the verse: "Bring my sons ... and daughters from the end of the earth" (Isaiah 43:6). Around the rim, the English translation.

The reverse depicts the number "25" and the UJA emblem together with the words in English "years of rescue and rebuilding". To the right on a raised panel, the State emblem and underneath the English inscription "Presented by the State of Israel for leadership in the United Jewish Appeal". Below, on the right, the date "5723-1963".

* An unspecified and undocumented number of bronze medals were presented to individuals, whose names were inscribed on the medals' reverse.

REMEMBRANCE DAY FOR DEFENSE FORCES FALLEN

Official Medal

(not sold to public)

1963 / 5723

25.1

25.2

In 1963, close to the 15th Independence Anniversary, a medal was issued to commemorate those who fell in the War of Independence. The medal was awarded by the Defense Ministry to the families of the fallen.

The obverse depicts a stylized olive branch. To the right, in a rectangle with rounded corners, the image of a kneeling man planting an olive tree and a woman holding an infant, that also appears on the Liberation medals issued in 1958 and 1962, and the words "Israel liberated" near the rim. To the left the words "In memory of the combatants who fell for her freedom, Ministry of Defense".

On the reverse is a chain symbolizing bondage, to the right the reverse of a Roman coin depicted on the Liberation medals flanked by the words "Judaea captive 3830 [70 AD]. To the left: Remembrance Day for the IDF fallen,5723 [1963]".

HEBREW UNION COLLEGE

Official Medal

1963 / 5723

Common obverse

Reverse:
Cat. # 26.1 inscription "Presented by the Minister of Education"
Cat. # 26.2 inscription "Presented by the Minister of Education to"

26.1

26.2

The Jerusalem Biblical and Archaeological School of the Hebrew Union College is the more recent of the three institutes founded by the Reform Movement in Judaism. The Hebrew Union College, the oldest, was founded in Cincinnati in 1875. In 1950 Rabbi Stephen Wise caused the amalgamation of his Jewish Institute of Religion with the Hebrew Union College. The third institute was founded in Los Angeles in 1954. The institute in Jerusalem was founded by Professor Nelson Glick, famous archaeologist and biblical researcher who served as President of the College between 1971-1974. When the Nelson Glick Institute of Archeology and Bible Studies completed its building program in Jerusalem, it celebrated the occasion in the presence of its board of governors and other notables.

In the center of the medal's obverse is a raised panel on both sides a pattern of arabesques. On the panel, in raised letters, the initials HUC and JIR (standing for Hebrew Union College and Jewish Institute of Religion). Further down the inscription in English "Meeting of the Board of Governors, Jerusalem, March 24-31, 1963". Around the rim an inscription in Hebrew letters: "Hebrew Union College Biblical and Archaeological School", followed by the identical inscription in

The reverse shows a panel resembling the one on the obverse. In the center above, the State emblem. Beneath, an inscription in English "Presented by the Minister of Education". The bronze medals have the word "to" added.

WARSAW GHETTO UPRISING 20^TH ANNIVERSARY

State Medal

1963 / 5723

Obverse varieties

Left: Right arm of statue is heavy - medals minted by Kretschmer & Zechovoy

Right: Right arm of statue is light - medals minted by Hecht

Reverse varieties

Second candle from right fills, and is attached to, the base - minted by Kretschmer & Zechovoy (see left image)

Second candle from right is detached from base which is empty - minted by Hecht (see right image)

Top of third candle from right does not reach flame - minted by Kretschmer & Hecht (see left image)

Top of third candle from right touches flame - minted by Zechovoy (see right image)

27.1

Zechovoy

27.2

Hecht

27.3

Zechovoy

27.4

On Wednesday evening, 19 April 19 1943, the eve of Passover 5703, the "Jewish Resistance Organization" launched an armed rebellion within the Warsaw Ghetto against the Nazi horde, who in turn, moved armor and tanks, infantry and artillery to destroy the last remnant of the Jewish community. The revolt inside the totally isolated ghetto by a suffering people deprived of any defense, was an event unparalleled in the history of bravery and tragedy.
Nothing equals the extent, purpose and origin of the revolt in the Warsaw Ghetto. It has been bequeathed to mankind as one of the most frightful epics of courage and self-sacrifice history has ever known. The resistance of the Jewish Underground among the Ghetto prisoners reached its climax here; it brought forth other uprisings and armed struggles within cities and town, death camps and partisans, active in forests.

On the obverse is the figure of Mordechai Anilewitz, the Commander of the Warsaw Ghetto uprising, on a background of the ruins of the House of Israel. The figure is based on the statue created by Nathan Rappaport, erected at Kibbutz Yad Mordechai. Around the rim, to the right, the inscription in Hebrew and in English: 'The Ghetto Uprisings - 20th Anniversary, 5703-5723" and the English date "1943-1963".

The reverse depicts a replica of Kosso Elul's "Eternal Light", burning inside the Memorial Shrine of Yad Vashem, Jerusalem. From the eternal light a flame bursts forth covering the surface of the medal. Around the rim, part of a verse from Isaiah (56:5) "I will give them an everlasting name that shall not be destroyed", in Hebrew and English.

Several die varieties of this medal exist, as detailed and illustrated above.

* The breakdown of mintage figures between Mints gives a larger quantity than the final mintage figures, because the specification of melted medals is unknown.

STOCKADE AND TOWER

Official Medal

1963 / 5723

28.1

28.2

The bloody riots which broke out in Palestine in 1936, marked the first chapter of a daring settlement development in the outlying areas. The aim was to extend the frontiers of the Jewish settlement and to take possession of land previously legally acquired. The aim was to prepare everything needed well in advance so that on the very first day a wooden wall reinforced by gravel, could be put up around the new settlement. Up went a watchtower, defense posts were dug and wooden barracks for dwellings were erected. Such "Stockade and Tower" settlements were established in the Jordan Plain and Valley, in the Upper and Lower Galilee. Hanita, on the Northern Border, was set up in 1938 to be followed by Aylon and Hatzovah.

On the medal's obverse appears to the left: "25 years since the acquisition of Western Galilee". Above to the right, the emblem of the Regional Council of Sulam Tzur. Beneath, a schematic map of three "Stockade and Tower" settlements in Western Galilee.

On the reverse in the center appears part of a verse from Chronicles 2 (14:6) "Let us ... make about them walls and towers". The letters form a stylized representation of "Stockade and Tower" settlements. Beneath, the date -5698-5723 : 1938-1963. Round the rim, the English version of the quotation and the source.

ZOA - ZIONIST ORGANIZATION OF AMERICA

66^TH CONVENTION - 1^ST IN ISRAEL

Official Medal

1963 / 5723

Common obverse

Reverse:
Cat. # 29.1 inscription "The Government of Israel"
Cat. # 29.2 inscription "Presented by the Government of Israel"

29.1

29.2

29.3

The first convention of the Zionist Organization of America was held in Israel at the Binyane Haooma in Jerusalem. The opening session took place on 1 July 1963. A special State medal was issued in honor of the occasion. About 1,400 delegates participated in the convention, among them well-known leaders including Dr. Abba Hillel Silver, Emanuel Neumann and Rabbi Max Nussbaum. President Zalman Shazar of Israel delivered greetings. U.S. President Kennedy cabled: "The integrity and safety of Israel is a matter of our concern." The names of many world renowned Jewish leaders, whose fame is well established among Jews everywhere, are interwoven with the history of the Zionist Organization of America. The best known among them are the President of the Zionist Organization - Supreme Court Justice Louis Brandeis (kibbutz Ein Hashofet and the village Kfar Brandeis are named after him), Louis Lipski - writer and journalist, Rabbi Stephen Wise. Among the early activists of the ZOA was Judah Leib Magnes, who immigrated to Palestine and became Chancellor-President of the Hebrew University in Jerusalem.

The obverse of the medal shows two interlinked raised panels, the upper bears the Z.O.A. emblem and the Star of David is in the lower. On the right, upon a raised panel, the inscription 'The 66th Z.O.A. Convention, 19-25 Tamuz, 5723, first in Israel", in Hebrew. Below on the left, the identical inscription in English.
On the reverse appears the State emblem on a raised panel. An inscription in English: 'The Government of Israel", appears on four lines on raised strips. On 1,000 medals, inside the space for dedications, the words "Presented by" in English, these were intended for individuals to be named in the dedications.

THIRD ISRAEL FESTIVAL

Official  Medal

1963 / 5723

Common obverse

Reverse:
Cat. # 30.1 no inscription
Cat. # 30.2 & 30.3 - inscription "Presented by the Prime Minister's Office"

30.1

30.2

30.3