Bar Kochba

Bar Kochba
State Medal, 5720-1960

In the spring of 1960, an archaeological study group from the Hebrew University in Jerusalem, accompanied by Israel Defence Force soldiers, worked in the caves of the rocky hills of the Judean desert and there made discoveries beyond imagination. The most important of these was a bundle of papyrus discovered by the section headed by Professor Yigal Yadin, which contained the writings of Bar Kochba, leader of the revolt against the Romans.

Obverse: In the centre, an incuse in the form of an opening to a cave. In the background, the Judean desert. From the mouth of the cave hangs a rope ladder, with a man hauling up his colleague. Above, an inscription: "The Archaeological Mission to the Judean Desert, the 12th year of Israel's Statehood". Below, an inscription in English: "Expedition to the Judean Desert Caves, 1960".

Reverse: In the centre, a bundle of Bar Kochba letters found in the cave. Below, a sample of a coin of the Bar Kochba era. In the centre of this antique coin, a palm tree. On the rim of the medal an inscription in archaic Hebrew: "Simon Bar Kochba - President of Israel" and, in ordinary letters: "Bar Kochba Wars 3891-3894" - "132-135 CE".

Edge: The State emblem and the words: "State of Israel" in Hebrew and English. The silver 35mm and 59mm have "Silver 935" in Hebrew and "Sterling" in English on the medals minted by Kretschmer. The silver 59mm medals, minted by Hecht, have "Silver" in English.

Serialization: The silver 59mm are numbered from 0101. 52 have not been numbered.

Designer: Yaakov Zim.

Engraving: Kretschmer

Mint: Bronze - Kretschmer 15,000. Bronze/Tombac - Kretschmer 350; Hecht 499. Total:849, of which 118 were melted. Silver 59mm - Kretschmer 2117 to 2065 inclusive, except 52 not numbered. Hecht 883 (2066-2948). One medal was melted. Silver 35mm - Kretschmer.