100 Years of Settlements

100 Years of Settlements
State Medal, 5742-1982

Palestine was never without Jewish inhabitants, but the years 5642-5643, 1882-1883 marked a turning point in the story of the revival of the land. These years may have been decisive as far as the future was concerned. These were the years when Jews came in groups, they spread out into the desolate land which had not a road, they laid the foundations of the following settlements: Rosh Pinah, Rishon le Zion, Zichron Ya'akov, Petah Tikva, Ness Ziona and Yesod Hamaalah. Unknowingly these pioneers were fixing the border lines for the future state. These early settlements, spread all over the country, were fortunate enough to have the Baron de Rothschild join the revival effort. He was motivated by the feeling that, as he put it - 'There is a need to establish facts in the land".

Obverse: A map of Palestine made up of flowers. The inscription: " 100 Years of Settlement" in Hebrew and English. The years "5642-5742, 1882-1982" and the verse: "And I will plant them upon their land" - Amos 9:1 5, in Hebrew and English.

Reverse: A figure of a stylized plough. From it emerges a picture expressing the linkage between industry and agriculture and the verse: "And dwell in your land safely" - Leviticus 26:5, in Hebrew and English.

Edge: The State emblem and the words: "State of Israel" in Hebrew and English. The silver coins bear "Silver 935" in Hebrew and "Silver" in English. The edge of the gold medal is milled.

Serialization: All medals with a smooth edge are numbered.

Designer: Obverse - Gideon Kaich. Reverse - Nathan Karp.

Engraving: Kretschmer.

Mint: Bronze - Kretschmer. Silver - Israel Government Mint, Jerusalem. Gold -Shelgraph, Kretschmer, Hecht.