The Israel Coins and Medals Corporation (ICMC) has announced it will release an official state medal set commemorating Shimon Peres in 2017.
Peres, one of the founding fathers and the ninth president of the State of Israel, died on Sept. 28, 2016.
For more than 60 years, he dedicated his efforts to the people of Israel and towards the strengthening of the security of Israel. He was active in the formation of the Israel Defence Force and in arming it with advanced weaponry. He established the Nuclear Reactor in Dimona as well as the Sorek Nuclear Research Facility. What’s more, he developed Israel’s Defense Industries and was at the forefront in transforming Israel into a technology powerhouse and global leader in innovation.
Peres envisioned a “New Middle East” and strove to advance peace between Israel and its neighbours. Each chapter of his life was devoted to the state: he held many high-ranking government ministerial posts, including Director General of the Defense Ministry and Minister of Defense; Minister for Foreign Affairs; Minister of Finance; Minister of the Interior; Minister of Absorption of Immigration; Minister of Transportation and Communication; Minister of Information; Minister of Development of the Negev and Galilee; Leader of the Opposition; Prime Minister; and finally, President of the State of Israel.
Clockwise from top left: The three-medal set includes bronze, silver and gold medals. The reverse design (shown above) states ‘THE STATE OF ISRAEL IS NOT A MIRACLE IT IS THE REALIZATION OF A VISION’.
For his efforts in the international arena for Israel and the advancement of peace, Peres received world recognition when he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. He received a Peace Medal and honorary citizenship from the Pope, honorary knighthood from Queen Elizabeth II, and was the first Israeli to receive the U.S. Presidential Medal of Freedom from U.S. President Barack Obama.
Minted in Israel at the Holy Land Mint, the forthcoming medal set is slated to include a .9999 per cent gold medal; a .9990 per cent silver medal; as well as a bronze medal. The gold and silver medals each have a weight of 62.2 grams as well as a 50-mm diameter, and the bronze medal has a weight of 49 grams and a 48-mm diameter. There is a mintage of 199 pieces for the gold medal; 999 pieces for the silver medal; and 2,999 pieces for the bronze medal. Each of the medals were designed by Ruben Nutels and engraved by Tidhar Dagan.