First Zionist Congress Centennial

CENTENNIAL OF THE FIRST ZIONIST CONGRESS, BASEL 1897
Independence Day Coin 1997/5757 49th Anniversary

Initiated by Theodor Herzl, the first Zionist Congress was held on August 29, 1897 in Basel, Switzerland. This event was destined to change the course of history for the Jewish People.

Having witnessed the Dreyfus Case and being deeply perturbed by the plight of the Jewish People in face of the growing anti-Semitism aroung the world, Theodor Herzl took it upon himself to find a solution for the Jewish People.

Herzl's plans were written in his book "Der Judenstaat", which was published in 1896 in Vienna. Based on this, the First Zionist Congress adopted "The Basel Program". Chaired by Theodor Herzl, visionary of the Jewish State, the Zionist platform was formulated stating that "Zionism seeks to establish a homeland for the Jewish people in the Land of Israel secured under public law." Herzl wrote in his diary: "At Basel I founded the Jewish State. If I were to say this out loud today I would be greeted by universal laughter. In five years perhaps, and certainly in fifty years, everyone will perceive it."

Fifty years later, on November 29, 1947, the United Nations voted to approve the partition of Palestine and the establishment of a Jewish State – the State of Israel. The Israel 49th Independence Day Coin issued in 1997commemorates the vision that became reality, as well as the exceptional event that changed the history of the Jewish People.

Obverse: Face value in Hebrew and English, Israel State emblem, "Israel" in English, Hebrew and Arabic, mint year and the Star of David that appeared on the official document of the Zionist Congress, border inscription "CENTENNIAL OF THE FIRST ZIONIST CONGRESS - BASEL 1897" in Hebrew and English.

Reverse: Image of Herzl deep in thought, leaning over the balcony railing of his room in Basel, in the left-hand border, the words: "If you will it, it is not a dream".

Edge:
Silver B.U. Coin – Smooth
Silver Proof and Gold Coin – Milled

Mint Marks:
Beneath the face value:
Silver B.U. Coin – Star of David
Silver Proof and Gold Coin – Hebrew letter "Mem"

Designer: Gideon Keich

Plaster Reliefs: Tidhar Dagan

Mint: Royal Dutch Mint