Israel - Group of 4 “Shavit” Medals - “Science in the Service of Peace” / “A Star Shall Come Out of Jacob” - 1962 - ...

Israel - Group of 4 “Shavit” Medals - “Science in the Service of Peace” / “A Star Shall Come Out of Jacob” - 1962 - Silver 935, approx. 437.2g (approx. 408.8g pure silver, 13.14 oz), 59 mm Official state medals issued following the successful launch of Israel’s atmospheric research rocket “Shavit 2”, one of the country’s important early scientific and technological achievements. On July 5, 1961, Israel successfully launched an atmospheric research rocket designed and developed by Israeli scientists and technicians. Experts noted that the major achievement lay in Israel’s independent development and production of the rocket propellant using locally available materials. The rocket, weighing approximately a quarter ton, reached an altitude of about 80 kilometers and was named “Shavit 2”. Obverse: At right appears a menorah symbolizing the State of Israel, from which a rocket ascends into a star-filled sky. At left appears the biblical verse “A Star Shall Come Out of Jacob” from Numbers 24:17, together with its English translation. Around the rim appears the inscription “Israel Shavit Missiles 1961-1962” in Hebrew and English. Reverse: Four square panels, two recessed. The upper right panel bears the inscription “Science in the Service of Peace”, while the lower left carries the English translation. The remaining panels depict a stylized atom and installations harnessing solar energy.