20th Anniversary of the Ghetto Uprising

20th Anniversary of the Ghetto Uprising
State Medal, 5723-1963

On Wednesday evening, April 19, 1943, the eve of Passover 5703, the "Jewish Resistance Organization" launched an armed rebellion within the Warsaw Ghetto against the Nazi horde, who in turn, moved armor and tanks, infantry and artillery to destroy the last remnant of the Jewish community. The revolt inside the totally isolated ghetto by a suffering people deprived of any defense, was an event unparalleled in the history of bravery and tragedy. Nothing equals the extent, purpose and origin of the revolt in the Warsaw Ghetto. It has been bequeathed to mankind as one of the most frightful epics of courage and self-sacrifice history has ever known. The resistance of the Jewish Underground among the Ghetto prisoners reached its climax here; it brought forth other uprisings and armed struggles within cities and town, death camps and partisans, active in forests.

Obverse: On the left, the figure of Mordechai Anilewitz, the Commander of the Warsaw Ghetto uprising, on a background of the ruins of the House of Israel. (The figure is based on the statue created by Rappaport, erected at Kibbutz Yad Mordechai). Around the rim, to the right, the inscription in Hebrew and in English: 'The Ghetto Uprisings - 20th Anniversary, 5703-5723" and the English date "1943-1963".

Reverse: A replica of Kosso Elul's "Eternal Light", burning inside the Memorial Shrine of Yad Vashem, Jerusalem. From the eternal light a flame bursts forth covering the surface of the medal. Around the rim, part of a verse from Isaiah (56:5) "I will give them an everlasting name that shall not be destroyed", in Hebrew and English.

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, on those medals minted by Kretschmer and Zechovoy. Those minted by Hecht have "Silver".

Serialization: The silver 59mm medals are numerically serialized.

Designer: Moshe Zippar.

Engraving: Kretschmer.

Mint: Bronze - Kretschmer 4962: Zechovoy 3020. Tombac - Kretschmer 1145: Hecht 495. Silver - Kretschmer 0001-0320: 0501 -2061; 2066-2265-2081 medals. Zechovoy 0321-0500-180 medals. Hecht 2062-2065: 2266-3000-739 medals.

Differences between medals:
1. Obverse - Kretschmer: The right arm of the statue is heavy. Zechovoy: The right arm of the statue is heavy. Hecht: The right arm of the statue is light. 
2. Reverse - Kretschmer: The base of the right candle is full. Zechovoy: The base of the right candle is full. Hecht: The base of the right candle is empty.
3. Reverse - Kretschmer: The right candle does not reach the flame. Zechovoy: Part of the right candle reaches the flame. Hecht: The right candle does not reach the flame.