Large bronze medallion by Meir Gur Aryeh, marking Maimonides’ 800th birthday. Pesach, [1935].
19 cm. diameter. On a wooden board measuring 24.5×24.5 cm. Image of Maimonides at center with the relief text רבני משה ברבי מימון, תתצ”ה-תתקס”ה. Along with the engraved words: פסח תרצ”ה and the letters מ.ה. (Meir Gur Aryeh).
There are differing opinions regarding Maimonides’ birth date. This seems to mark his birth date according to Maimonides’ grandson who noted it as 14 Nissan 1135. Experts concur that Maimonides passed away in 1204, although this notes 1208. (It seems that underneath the number ח, there originally was a ה, for 1204.)
The medallion is on a wooden plate, and in 1976 it was presented to Dr. Morris Levy (1925-2006), the pioneer of open-heart surgery in Israel.
Very fine condition.