Chaim Weizmann Centenary

Chaim Weizmann
State Medal, 5735-1974

Chaim Weizmann was born on November 27, 1874 (18 Kislev 5635) in the town of Motel, in Western Russia. He acquired his secondary education in Pinsk. He pursued his studies in Chemistry in Germany and Switzerland. He was among the chief activists in the Zionist cause from his early youth. In 1904 he was appointed lecturer at the University of Manchester, England. By reason of his scientific discoveries he was appointed two years later as laboratory chief of the British Admiralty Chemical Laboratories. It was his assiduous negotiations with the British Government during the First World War that brought about the Balfour Declaration. In 1921 Weizmann served as the President of the Zionist Organization and in 1929 he established the Jewish Agency and became its President. In 1934 Weizmann established in Rehovot the "Daniel Sief Institute for Research" which later became the "Weizmann Institute of Science". On the eve of the Second World War, during and after the war Weizmann was at the center of the political struggle which reached its climax with the establishment of the State in 1948. He was elected its first President and died in office on November 9, 1952(21 st of Heshvan, 5713). On the occasion of the centennial of Weizmann's birth, the Israel Government Coins and Medals Corporation issued a special medal

Obverse: In the center - a likeness of Weizmann and the words: "Chaim Weizmann, first President of Israel" in Hebrew and English.

Reverse: In the center - a stylized crown and upon it is the inscription: "Crown of learning and of statehood" in Hebrew and English. On the margins, below, the words: "Birth Centenary 5635-5735" in Hebrew. The English translation bears the civil dates: 1874-1974.

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

Serialization: All the medals are numbered. Bronze were numbered to 5149 of which 171 were not minted. 1266 were melted. Silver: numbered to 5220. 8 were not minted. 4 were melted.

Designer: Obverse - Ya'akov Zim. Reverse - Nathan Karp. Portrait-Moshe Nov.

Engraving: Moshe Nov.

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