Gates of Jerusalem

Gates of Jerusalem
State Medal, 5741-1981

"Jerusalem was destroyed, its gates burned. Come, let us rebuild the Jerusalem Wall." Thus spoke Nehemiah to the people who returned from the Babylonian Exile (Nehemiah 2:17).
This was but one chapter in the history of the Walls of Jerusalem which have been destroyed many times in the course of generations and then rebuilt along different lines. The contemporary layout was built by Suleiman the Magnificent, the Sultan of Turkey, 430 years ago. Most of the wall rests on earlier foundations and remnants from the Second Commonwealth, the Roman period, the Crusaders, etc. Suleiman the Magnificent also reconstructed six of the seven gates of the wall now open and which surround the Old City over a circumference of four kilometers (the eighth gate is sealed).

Obverse: Above, the legend "Gates of Jerusalem" in Hebrew and English. In the center, the North Star pointing in different directions. Around the star, a sketch of the eight gates. On each gate, the name in Hebrew and English - Jaffa Gate, the New Gate, Damascus Gate, Herod's Gate, Lion Gate, Gate of Golden, Dung Gate, Zion Gate.

Reverse: The verse "Our feet shall stand within they gates 0 Jerusalem", Psalms 122:2, in Hebrew. Within, a stylized gate, the Old City buildings on a sketched background. Around, the English translation of the above verse.

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

Serialization: All medals are numbered.

Designer: Nathan Karp.

Engraving: Tidhar Dagan.

Mint:
Bronze - Hecht.
Silver - Israel Government Mint, Jerusalem.