Discovery of America, 500th Anniversary

500th Anniversary of the Discovery of America
70mm Bronze Medal

Description of the medal Five hundred years ago, Christopher Columbus decided to follow a dream: with his three boats, the stubborn sailor sailed west to explore the riches of the east. The voyage of 1492 led to a discovery which changed reality forever - a new world was discovered, holding a new promise for humanity and opening the gates to freedom and progress. It is an irony of history that the same rulers who sent Columbus on his journey that year expelled the Jews from their country, Spain, and that after long years of wandering, many of them and their descendants found refuge in the new world opened by Columbus. This is the thread connecting the Jewish people with the dream of one man. It gives the anniversary special relevance to the people of Israel.

Obverse: Columbus' ship, sails billowing, enters the Gulf of Mexico. A map of the American continent. In the lower portion, the passage "Through the paths of the seas" and its source "psalms 8:9" in Hebrew and English.

Reverse: The Statue of Liberty and symbols of America: skyscrapers, Edison's first electric lamp, a rocket on its way to the moon, nuclear atom, suspension bridge, airplane, and Coca-Cola bottle, symbol of American pop culture. The years "1492" and "1992" and the inscription "THE NEW WORLD" in Hebrew and English.

Edge: State emblem with the words "STATE OF ISRAEL' in Hebrew on the right and in English on the left and serial number. Bronze/tombac medal - "BRONZE" in Hebrew and English; Silver medal - "S 999" in Hebrew and English; gold medal - "G 750" in Hebrew and English.

Serialization: Bronze/tombac - 1,900 numbered; 14 melted. Silver - 1,074 numbered; 4 melted. Gold - 398 numbered; 8 melted.

Designer: Avraham Pat.

Engraving: Kretschmer.

Mint: Bronze/tombac and silver - Kretschmer. Gold - The Government Mint.