Bar Mitzva

Bar Mitzvah
State Medal, 5721-1961

A Jewish boy attaining the age of 13 is deemed to be an adult. It is traditional to mark the occasion at a public ceremony ending in an appropriate feast in honor of the lad. Since the reunification of Jerusalem it has become increasingly popular to solemnize the occasion at the Western Wall. Since the establishment of the State, many Jews abroad have become converted to the idea of sending the Bar Mitzvah boy to Israel to observe the occasion. At times, organized groups of Bar Mitzvah boys have come, with their parents, to participate in the ceremony. The "Bar Mitzvah" medal was issued on the 13th Anniversary of the State of Israel.

Obverse: A figure of a boy putting on Tefilin and the citation: "At 13 for the fulfillment of the mitzvoth" (Ethics of the Fathers 5:21) in Hebrew and English.

Reverse: The State emblem and the emblems of the Tribes. Round the rim 'Thirteen Years of the State of Israel" in Hebrew. In English: "Bar Mitzvah of the State of Israel".

Edge: Bronze and silver medals with the inscription "State of Israel" in Hebrew and English and the State emblem. The gold medals and the 19mm silver medals have milled edges. On the 45mm medals the inscription: "5731-1971". The silver 59mm and 45mm bear the words: "Silver 935" in Hebrew and "Sterling" in English. The 35mm silver have "Silver" in English on those minted by Hecht and "Sterling" on those minted by Kretschmer or Zechovoy.

Serialization: Silver 59mm have been numbered to 8665. 259 have been melted. Bronze 45mm were numbered to 10,800 (483 were not minted) 62 have been melted.

Designer: Rothschild and Lippman ("Roli").

Engraving: Kretschmer

Mint: Bronze 59mm - Kretschmer - 1,000 having a large flower in the tribal emblem whereas 13,469 have a regular flower. Tombac 59mm - Kretschmer: 2,536 medals. Hecht: 1580 medals. Tombac dust - Mishke Hanegev: 2,300 medals. Tombac 45 mm - Kretschmer. Silver 35mm - Kretschmer 6079; Zechovoy 3,000; Hecht 914 medals. Silver 19mm - Kretschmer 1 1,524 medals. Government Mint, Jerusalem 1,366 medals. Silver 45mm and 59mm - Kretschmer. Gold 19mm, 22mm and 27mm - Kretschmer.