Lot #64
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Israel - Valour 1958 - Silver 935, 115g, 59mm
Israel – Valour 1958 – Silver 935, 115g, 59mm
An old people, clad in uniforms nondescript, waging a young war in rags and tatters climbs the column, clutching rifles for dear life up the rocky hillside summit dodging sniper bullets. An old people clinging hard to a land which In its bowels, on shards long decayed Kept its ancient name the land but yesterday redeemed by young pioneers an old people, but as the flames of battle light up the face of the fallen. The face of a young lad. (Freely translated from NATHAN ALTERMAN’s "DURING THAT WINTER") On the Tenth Anniversary of the War of Independence during which the establishment of the State was proclaimed and Israel’s Defence Forces were formed, the Israel Government Coins and Metals Corporation issued a special State medal to commemorate the valour of the Children of Israel in their homeland.
Obverse: On the right, the Army emblem, a sword entwined by an olive branch, expressions of preparedness for war and striving for "Peace be within thy walls" (Psalms 122:7) is around the edge in a semi-circle in Hebrew and English.
Reverse: On the right, in relief, a statue of the Roaring Lion commemorating the heroism of Joseph Trumpeldor and his colleagues at Tel Hai. To the left, the inscription "For the builders everyone had his sword girded by his side" (Nehemia 4:12) in Hebrew. The English is on the left. The source, around the rim to the right.