Elijah the Prophet

Reuven Rubin Centenary - Three State Medals
1993 5753

Born in Romania in 1893, Rubin came to Israel in 1912 to study art at the Bezalel Academy. He remained in Jerusalem for one year, moved to Paris, then returned to Israel in 1922. His early works reflect Jewish renewal in Israel. Later, he depicted landscapes and stories from the Bible. Three albums of lithographs were published during the 1960s depicting King David, Visions of the Bible and the Prophets. Rubin did numerous portraits and self-portraits. An exhibition in honor of his 100th birthday entitled "Rubin - Self-Portrait" opened in 1993. Three works are depicted in this medal series: "Self Portrait with Olive Tree," "Elijah the Prophet" and Jonah in the Whale". A fourth, "Saul and David," appears on the reverse of each medal.

Description
Obverse - "Self Portrait"
Color lithograph of self-portrait of Rubin seated at his easel with olive tree and white dove in the background. Artist's signature in Hebrew and English. Along the circumference, the years 1893-1993; In Hebrew and in English, the inscription: "Reuven Rubin Centenary".

Obverse - "Elijah the Prophet"
Color lithograph depicting Elijah the Prophet as he is carried to heaven in a chariot of fire drawn by horses of fire, Elisha grasping the edge of Elijah's cloak.
To the right, the artist's signature in Hebrew and English. Below, along the circumference, the inscription "Father, father! The chariots of Israel and its horsemen" in Hebrew and "Elijah in the Whirlwind" in English.

Obverse - Jonah in the Whale"
Color lithograph depicting Jonah the Prophet in the belly of the whale in the depths of the sea. In the background, a ship and the sun. To the right, the artist's signature in Hebrew and English. Below, along the circumference, the Hebrew inscription "and my prayer came to you" and Jonah" in Hebrew and English.

Reverse (on all three medals)
"Saul and David," relief by Rubin, depicting young David playing the harp at Saul's feet. Inscribed "Saul and David" in Hebrew and English along the circumference.

Edge
State emblem with the words "STATE OF ISRAEL" in Hebrew on the right and in English on the left, with serial number.
Bronze/tombac medal - "BRONZE" in Hebrew and English
26 mm. silver medal - "S 999.9" in Hebrew and English
50 mm. silver medal - "S 999" in Hebrew and English
22 mm. gold medal - "G 585" in Hebrew and English
38 mm. gold medal - "G-916.6" in Hebrew and English.
Modelia - smooth.

Serialization
All medals are numbered

Design
Reuben Nutels, based upon a drawing by Reuven Rubin.
Lithography and color separation - Eli Garbel.

Engraving
Medals - Kretschmer.
Modelia - Hecht.

Mint
Bronze/tombac, 50 mm. silver and 22 mm. gold - Kretschmer.
26 mm. silver, 38 mm. gold - The Government Mint.
Copper silver modelia - Hecht