Judaica / Zionism - Germany, Memorial Medal for Theodor Herzl, 1904

Judaica / Zionism - Germany, Memorial Medal for Theodor Herzl, 1904 A medal issued in Germany in memory of Theodor Herzl, the leader of political Zionism and the originator of the modern vision of a Jewish state. The medal reflects the admiration of European Jewry for Herzl and the central role he played in the Zionist movement. Obverse: Depicts the portrait of Herzl, accompanied by the German inscription: "DR. THEODOR HERZL 1860-1904 3. JULI" (“Dr. Theodor Herzl 1860-1904, 3 July”). Below it appears the Hebrew inscription: "אם אשכחך ירושלים תשכח ימני" (“If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget its skill”). Reverse: Features the German inscription: "DIE JUDEN SOLLEN JUDEN SEIN UND JUDEN BLEIBEN" (“The Jews should be Jews and remain Jews”). Below it appears: "WENN IHR WOLLT IST ES KEIN MÄRCHEN" (“If you will it, it is no dream”). At the center appears a Star of David with the German inscription: "JUDEN STAAT" (“The Jewish State”). Below it appears: "ALTNEULAND" (“Old-New Land”), the title of Herzl’s utopian novel. Above the central scene Moses is depicted looking toward the shores of the Land of Israel, symbolizing the continuity between the ancient vision of redemption and the modern Zionist revival. Made of plated bronze. Weight: 9.508 g Diameter: 28 mm