Wiesenthal, Bronze 50mm Medal in Presentation Folder

SIMON WIESENTHAL
NAZI HUNTER
Official Medal 2005/5767

Simon Wiesenthal was born in 1908 in Galicia, then a province of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. He studied architecture and worked in this profession until the persecution of the Jews began. After living through the hell of 13 work and concentration camps, he dedicated his life to the search for Nazi criminals.

Untiring, against all odds, and with only minimal support, he persevered for many years. Thanks to his efforts more than 1,100 war criminals were brought to justice, among them Adolf Eichmann, responsible for the systematic execution of the Final Solution; Franz Stangl, the commandant of Treblinka; Hermine Braunsteiner, the notorious “monster” of Ravensbrueck and Majdanek; and Karl Silberbauer, the man who arrested Anne Frank.

The Holocaust in all its facets, from documenting its history to collecting evidence of the unspeakable crimes perpetrated against Jews, from preparing testimony for trials to dealing with the moral questions of humanity against a background of inhumanity, dominated his life. Wiesenthal fought relentlessly for public awareness of the Holocaust and against anti-Semitism and prejudice. He wrote articles, books, gave lectures and spoke out against injustice towards minorities. As he became well known, and his efforts were appreciated worldwide, he was able, to some extent, to restore the shaken honor and dignity of Holocaust survivors.

Wiesenthal died in 2005 in Vienna and was buried in Israel.

The Corporation is acknowledges the assistance of Wiesenthal’s family in the striking of this medal.

Obverse: On the medal face is a likeness of Simon Wiesenthal with his life's motto: “Justice and not Vengeance”, in Hebrew and English.

Reverse: On the reverse, is a sunflower against a background of six Stars of David embedded in barbed wire, symbolizing the six million Jews who were murdered by the Nazis and the text “I did not forget you” in Hebrew and English. “The Sunflower”, Wiesenthal’s most famous book, deals with the question of forgiveness.

Edge: Smooth

Designer: Meir Eshel