2017-09-21 Thu

In 1917, the Balfour Declaration helped pave the way for the establishment of the State of Israel. A Canadian collector-dealer along with an American hobby organization, are commemorating the centennial of the Declaration with numismatic items. Israel Lachosvky, a Calgary coin, and antiques-dealer, is offering 1967 Canadian silver dollars featuring a Balfour Declaration counterstamp.

Citadel Coins in Halifax, Nova Scotia is producing the pieces for Lachosvky. In 2017, the same firm counter-stamped 1967 silver dollar coins from Canada to celebrate the nation’s 150th anniversary. Lachosvky began selling those, and also began pursuing a similar project for the Balfour Declaration. The counter-stamp on the reverse includes an Israeli flag, a map of Israel, and the dual dates of 1917 and 2017. Other inscriptions on the reverse mark the 50th anniversary of the coin as the final circulating silver dollar in Canada and mark the 150th anniversary of Confederation.

Lachosvky’s initials, IL, as the counter-stamp designer, appear below the CC representing the counter-stamp producer. Pieces are being produced as needed based on sales, with a guaranteed limit of 300 pieces. Each piece retails for $134.95 U.S. plus actual shipping charges.

The American Israel Numismatic Association’s Balfour Declaration medal is a triple commemorative piece. It celebrates the organization’s 50th anniversary along with two historic events in the history of Israel.

Famous medallist Heidi Wastweet sculptured and Mel Wacks came up with the design concepts. Wacks has been president of AINA for 15 years, and Wastweet has created more than 1,000 coins, medals, and tokens since 1987.The medal’s obverse commemorates the 100th anniversary of the Balfour Declaration.

The obverse depicts United Kingdom’s foreign secretary in 1917, Arthur James Balfour along with a historical text from his letter sent to Walter Rothschild, the 2nd Baron Rothschild, a leader of the British Jewish community. The contents of the letter stated “His Majesty’s Government view with favour the establishment in Palestine of a national home for the Jewish people.”

The reverse showcases the Israel Defense Forces liberating the Western Wll in Jerusalem’s Old City. Triumphant Brig. Gen. Shlomo Goren, is shown holding a Torah and sounding the shofar (ram’s horn), as Israeli soldiers honour their comrades killed in combat.

Rabbi Goren then recited “Le-shana HA-ZOT be-Yerushalayim ha-b’nuya, be-yerushalayim ha-atika!” — a portion of which is featured on the medal, in English: THIS YEAR IN A REBUILT JERUSALEM-5727. The legend also includes: REUNIFICATION OF JERUSALEM JUNE 7, 1967.

The third commemoration is inscribed on the medal’s edge: AINA 50TH ANNIVERSARY 1967–2017.

The medal has a mintage limit of 250 pieces in bronze. The design is available in a 2.5-ounce .999 fine silver version and as a gold-plated version of the same silver medal, limited to 50 pieces.

Medallic Art Company struck the AINA medals.

The bronze medal retails for $50, the silver version is priced at $200, and the gold-plated silver medal at $250. A three-medal set retails for $485. Each serial numbered medal comes with a certificate of authenticity and display stand.