Lot 2644
Israel. Palestine, 1918 Eretz Israel Volunteers Medal. By Boris Schatz (Bezalel). size: 24.5 mm, 6 gm. bronze. Obverse is antithetical design of Roman Judaea Capta coinage, except "Bat Zion" (Daughter of Zion) is shown freeing herself from Roman captivity; the Hebrew inscription in exergue is "Judea Freeing Herself," and the medalist's name "B Sh Bezalel" is at the left. The reverse features a Star of David, with the Hebrew legend "For the Volunteers of the Nation in Eretz Israel," plus the Hebrew date 1849 for "1918" (counting from 70 CE, the destruction of the Second Temple). These were issued on July 4, 1918 to local Jewish volunteers setting out to join the 40th Royal Fusiliers (one of the 3 Jewish battalions of the Jewish Legion. This was the first modern military medal ever issued by Jews for Jews - and more so for service in the land of Israel. Very rare. Weakly struck Fine/Very Fine, with clean chocolately brown surfaces. Estimate Value $350 - UP
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| Realized $276 |
