Israel Museum

Israel Museum
State Medal, 5725-1965

The Israel Museum, in Jerusalem, was opened on the 11 th of May, 1965. Vision and skillful planning, large financial resources augmented by generous gifts made it possible to convert the Museum into a national treasure.
The Museum buildings stand on several levels blending well into the landscape. The central pavillion contains the Bezalel Museum of fine arts collection and the Samuel Bronfman Biblical and Archaeological Museum. In the Shrine of the Book are displayed the scrolls discovered in the Judean desert as well as Biblical manuscripts. An impressive outdoor exhibit of statues has been set up in the Billy Rose Garden of Arts.

Obverse
Around the rim, a stylized design of the museum buildings. In the center, an inscription "The Israel Museum" in Hebrew, English and French.

Reverse
A realistic representation of a stone candelabra found in a second century C.E. synagogue uncovered in Tiberias. The branches composed of conventional open pomegranates on top of which recessed containers for oil are visible.

Edge
The State emblem and the words "State of Israel" in Hebrew and English. The silver medals bear the word "Silver 935" in Hebrew and "Sterling" in English. The gold has "G 916.6".

Serialization
All the medals are numerically serialized. Bronze 45mm were number 4685, 1337 were melted. Silver 45mm were numbered to 3507, 337 were melted.

Designer
Miriam and Mordechai Gumpel.

Engraving
Kretschmer.

Mint
Kretschmer.