Avdat

Avdat
State Medal, 5726-1965

The city of Avdat, named after the Nabatean King Abados III. was a station for caravans involved in Jewish-Arab commerce. After the Nabatean Kingdom was annexed by the Romans Avdat was destroyed by nomads. It was resettled at the end of the late Roman period, and by the 7th century CE it became a place of culture. Only after the Negev became part of Israel were the ruins of the ancient city of Avdat unearthed.

Obverse: In the center, the arch which served as entrance to the Acropolis during all of the historical periods. To the left, columns of different sizes. The field is decorated with an engraved motif of leaves and branches on a Nabatean bowl from Avdat (1 st century CE). Below, to the left, a replica of a stone relief motif of the late Roman period, representing a bird. The name of the city, "Avdat" in Hebrew above and in English below.

Reverse: In the center, a replica of a city-coin minted by the Nabatean King Aretas IV (9-40 CE). In the center of the coin, a double cornucopia crossed at its base. The Aramaic inscription between the horns stands for, "Aretas, Shakilat", the king and his consort. On the rim, the inscription, "Nabataean Coin 9-40 CE", in Hebrew 3769-3800 and in English below.

Edge: The emblem of the State of Israel and the words, "State of Israel" in Hebrew and English. The silver medals are marked with the word "Sterling" in English and "Silver 935" in Hebrew.

Serialization: All the medals are numbered.

Designer: Obverse - Mordechai Gumpel. Reverse - Alex Berlyne.

Engraving: Kretschmer.

Mint: Kretschmer.