מדליית עשור לחרות ישראל

The “Decade of Israel’s Liberation” Medal [מדליית עשור לחרות ישראל] is the first state medal issued in the State of Israel, as part of the celebrations marking Israel’s tenth anniversary.

In 1958, as part of the celebrations marking Israel’s tenth anniversary, the Government Company for Medals and Coins issued a medal whose one side features a copy of the “Judaea Capta” coin, encircled by chains and bearing the Hebrew inscription “Judaea is exiled” with the (incorrect) Hebrew date “TLA.” On the other side of the medal is a copy of the palm tree featured on the original coin; on one side of it is a woman carrying a sheaf of wheat, and on the other a man carrying a hoe on his shoulder. The words “Israel Liberata” (“Israel liberated” in Latin) and “Jerusalem” are incorporated into the design, and around it is the inscription “A Decade of Israel’s Liberation,” ten six-pointed stars (similar to Stars of David), and the Hebrew date “5718.” The medal was designed by Otte Wallish based on a proposal by Leo Kadman. It was the first state medal of the State of Israel.