Joshua

JOSHUA
OFFICIAL MEDAL 5766/2006
Second in the Series of 4 "Monitin" Medals

In the Midrash, it is told that four leading biblical personalities, Abraham, Joshua, David and Mordechai, had coins issued in their honor and through these coins each of them gained world renown. The word used by the Midrash for "Coin" is the word "Monitin" and, interestingly, this appears to be the root of the words "Money", "Monnaie" and "Moneta" that stem from Latin. In modern Hebrew, the word "Monitin" denotes "good reputation". The Midrash also describes the designs that appeared on each side of the coins.
Israel Government Coins and Medals Corporation has chosen to strike the coins described in the Midrash, on medals. Art Students of the "Emunah" Academy for Women, Jerusalem, have been invited to submit designs and the winning designs have been chosen out of those submitted. First in the series was the"Abraham and Sarah" Medal that was introduced in our last promotion. This came in a Set Presentation Box designed to hold all the four medals in the series. Each of the medal versions of this medal are still available and the whole series may be ordered on a standing order basis.
We now proudly present the"Joshua" Medal. "The firstling of his herd, grandeur is his, and his horns are like the horns of a wild ox..." is the blessing bestowed upon the Tribe of Joseph, by Moses, before his death. Joshua came from the Tribe of Ephraim, the son of Joseph. These are the elements on the "Joshua" Coin described by the Mishnah. The ox signifies the strength of Joshua and the horns of the antelope, his majesty and courage. Joshua was the leader who succeeded in his mission despite the hardships and quarrels of the people. In face of the enemy, nevertheless, he remained steadfast, like the "horns of the antelope". These two aspects of his personality are expressed on the two sides of the medal.

Obverse: The ox on the obverse side signifies the strength of Joshua. Joshua was the leader who succeeded in his mission despite the hardships and quarrels of the people.

Reverse: The horns of the antelope on the reverse side signifies Joshua's majesty and courage. In face of the enemy he remained steadfast, like the "horns of the antelope".

Edge: State emblem with the words "STATE OF ISRAEL" inscribed in Hebrew on the right and in English on the left; the metal and serial number.

Designer: Lilach Rubin

Engraving: Romania.

Mint:
Silver and Bronze Medals: Romania.
Gold medal: Israel Coins and Medals Mint.