Identifer: CJF-RFC2015189

Medium
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Description
This medal was issued as part of the Historical Cities of Israel Medals which were issued by the Israel Government Coins & Medals Corporation to commemorate the Historical Cities of Israel.  They were issued from 1965-1966.  They were all issued in Silver and Yellow Bronze ( also known as tombac) with one medal struck in gold.
 
This medal is 45mm with a mintage of 8,390.
 
Ashkelon is mentioned as early as 1280 B.C.E. in a testimony dealing with the conquests of Ramses II.  The children of Israel captured Ashkelon after Joshua died but it only became important port city during the Hellenistic times.  It was never conquered by Maccabees although Jews did live there.  Herond, who was born in Ashkelon, adorned the city with many edifices.  In 1153 the city fell to the Crusaders, and in 1270 the Mamelukes captured it, destroyed it and its ruins, a small town was built called Midgedal.  In 1948 the Israel Defense Forces captured Midgedal around which a modern city was built with its former ancient name of Ashkelon being given to it.