Albert Einstein 100th Anniversary

Albert Einstein
State Medal, 5739-1979

Albert Einstein (1879-1955), one of the great physicists of the twentieth century, renowned humanitarian and Nobel Prize winner arrived in the United States in 1933. He served as professor at Princeton University until his retirement in 1945. "Einstein's Theory of Relativity" revolutionized theoretical physics causing the development of the atomic theory. Einstein became attracted to Zionism in 1921. He was among the leading activists on behalf of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. In 1946 he appeared before the Anglo-American Commission of Inquiry pleading

the cause of Jewish Palestine. He appeared as a guest speaker at the first Independence Day celebration. He

bequeathed his manuscripts to the Hebrew University, including his article on general relativity

Description of the medal

Obverse: A likeness of Einstein according to the sculpture seen in the entrance to the Mathematics Institute of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. The legend "Albert Einstein 5639-5715". The English bears the dates "1879-1955".

Reverse: A mathematical formula in Einstein's handwriting. Around the rim, the legend "Jerusalem Centennial Symposium, Adar 5739" in Hebrew. The English bears the date, March 1979.

Edge: The State emblem and the words "State of Israel" in Hebrew and English. The silver medals bear "Silver 935" in Hebrew and "Sterling" in English.

Serialization: All the medals are numbered. Bronze - numbered up to 3200. One was not minted, 34 were melted. Silver - numbered to 2890. Twelve were not minted, 251 were melted.

Designer: Nathan Karp.

Engraving: Moshe Nov.

Mint: Kretschmer.