Pilgrims, Terra Sancta

Pilgrims, Terra Sancta
State Medal, 5724,1963

The history of Christian pilgrimage to the Holy Land is as old as Christianity itself. Many Christians are driven by a strong desire to behold with their own eyes the area where Jesus and the Apostles lived and taught. Reading the Old Testament and the New becomes more meaningful to a person who has visited the places mentioned therein.

Obverse: A relief, the Holy Land in perspective following the style of ancient maps where the Mediterranean Sea is at the bottom. In the center, above, the Latin words 'Terra Sancta" (Holy Land) between the Sea of Galilee and the Dead Sea.

Reverse: On the rim to the right, the verse in Hebrew: "Love thy neighbor as thyself" showing the origin, Leviticus 19:18. In the center, the verse in English and French. On the rim to the left, the source of the verse in Latin.

Edge: On the bronze and silver medals the State emblem and the words "State of Israel" in Hebrew and English. The silver medals bear "Sterling" in English and "Silver 935" in Hebrew. On the gold medals "Israel" in Hebrew and English as well as the marking "G 916.6".

Serialization: The silver 59mm and gold medals are numerically serialized. 5000 silver 59mm have been minted, 233 have been melted. Gold 35mm were numbered from 0101 to 5000 except from 4291 to 4750, 110 have been melted.

Designer: Miriam Karoli.

Engraving: Kretschmer.

Mint: Kretschmer.