Warsaw Ghetto Uprising, 50th Anniversary

50th anniversary of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising
Official Award Medal, 5753-1993

In August 1940, some 450,000 Jews were packed into the narrow confines of the Warsaw Ghetto, which was surrounded by an 18 km. wall. The gates in the wall were manned by German, Polish and Jewish police. During the first year and a half, 100,000 Jews died of hunger and disease. In July-September 1942, the Germans sent more than 300,000 Jews to death camps. In October 1942, two Jewish undergrounds were established: The Jewish Fighting Organization with 550 members, under the command of Mordecai Anielewicz, and the Jewish Military Union with about 250 fighters. Armed rebellion began April 19,1943, the eve of Passover, and continued over six weeks despite German armor. Most of the Jewish fighters were killed. The few survivors joined the partisans.

Obverse: The inscription "50 YEARS SINCE THE UPRISING IN WARSAW GHETTO", above in Hebrew and below in English.

Reverse: A Jewish fighter holding gun, with ruins in the background. Around the circumference, the inscription •WORLD FEDERATION OF JEWISH FIGHTERS, PARTISANS AND CAMP INMATES", in Hebrew above and in English below.

Edge: GCMC emblem and initials "I.G.C.M.C." in Hebrew on tie right and in English on the left, with serial number. Bronze/tombac medal - "BRONZE" in Hebrew and EngfeVv, Silver medal - "S 999" in Hebrew and English, in Hebrew and English.

Serialization: All medals are numbered. Bronze/tombac - 2,945 numbered, 2 melted.

Designer: Ephraim Wiechselfish.

Engraving: Kretschmer.

Mint: Kretschmer.