Israel - Medal, El Al 1977 - 935 silver, 115 g, 59 mm From its inception in 1948 until the peace ...

Israel - Medal, El Al 1977 - 935 silver, 115 g, 59 mm From its inception in 1948 until the peace treaties with Egypt (1979) and Jordan (1994), Israel's only international means of transport were by sea and air. The almost exclusive reliance on air travel made it necessary to ensure free and independent communication with countries abroad among the paramount concerns of the young State, demanding an immediate solution. The Government decided as early as November 1948 to establish a national airline. In 1949 El Al established air links with Europe and Africa; the New York line began to operate in 1950. In 1970 the then national carrier celebrated its 20th anniversary with the minting of a State medal. The obverse of the medal depicts a dove with its wings spread. Around the rim stylized Hebrew letters in relief make up the Hebrew inscription "Bring back my sons from far and my daughters from the end of the earth" from Isaiah 43:6. The inscription in English fills the upper part save for a triangle between the wings and the body of the dove within which are engraved the words "El Al" in Hebrew. The reverse is filled with stylized Hebrew letters. The entire Hebrew alphabet, consisting of 22 letters, are enclosed within a circle surrounding the Hebrew "Aleph" in the center. * The final total mintage figure is less than the breakdown by Mint, because no record was kept as to the origin of the melted medals.