El Al

45mm, 48g, Sterling Silver Medal

SKU
25042459
In stock
$150.00
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Specifications
More Information
Issuing Year 1969
Material Silver
Fineness 935
Weight 48 gr
Diameter 45.0 mm
Max Mintage 4955
Design Ben Shahn. U.S.A.

El Al
State Medal, 5729-1969

The beginnings of Israeli aviation predate the establishment of the State, but the War of Liberation and the land blockade imposed by the Arab states upon the country, made it necessary to ensure free and independent communication with countries abroad among the paramount concerns of the young State, demanding an immediate solution. The Government therefore, decided, as early as November 1948, to establish a national airline. In 1949 El Al established air links with Europe and Africa; the New York line began to operate in 1 950. El Al, on its twentieth anniversary, maintained a network of flights to sixteen countries spread over four continents.

Obverse: A dove, its wings, spread, head and body inclined to the right, the left wing raised higher. The wing tips and feet form a fanlike pattern. Around the rim, stylized Hebrew letters in relief, make up the Hebrew inscription: "Bring back my sons from far and my daughters from the end of the earth" from Isaiah 43:6. The inscription in English fills the upper part save for a triangle between the wings and the body of the dove within which are engraved the words "El Al" in Hebrew.

Reverse: The area is filled with stylized Hebrew letters, free and uneven. The entire Hebrew alphabet, consisting of 22 letters, are enclosed within a circle surrounding the Hebrew "aleph" which is placed in the center.

Edge:On the bronze and silver, the State emblem and the words: "State of Israel" in Hebrew and English. The gold has the State emblem and the words: "Israel", in Hebrew and in English. The silver medals bear "Silver 935" in Hebrew and the word "Sterling" in English. The gold medals have "G 916.6". The silver 59mm have the date 5738-1977" except for the medals numbered 0001 to 0095 and 1096 to 1395.

Serialization: All the medals have been numbered. Bronze have been numbered to 10,000, of which 2 have not been minted and 60 have been melted. Silver 45mm have been numbered to 5000 of which 15 have been melted. Gold have been numbered to 1990 of which 50 have been melted. Silver 59mm have been numbered to 1395 while 234 have been melted.

Designer: Ben Shahn. U.S.A.

Engraving: Kretschmer. 

Mint:  Kretschmer.

Issue Name: El Al

Series Name: Industry in Israel


Catalog SKU Condition Diameter Issue Price Issuing Year Material Quantity Weight
15042596 59.0 mm 12 IL 1969 Bronze/Tombac 9893 95 gr
25042459 45.0 mm 30 IL 1969 Silver/935 4955 48 gr
35042354 35.0 mm 260 IL 1969 Gold/917 1926 30 gr
25042598 59.0 mm 75 IL 1969 Silver/935 1121 115 gr