Identifer: CJF-RFC2015196

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 6,854.
 
Lod is one of the oldest cities in Israel, but it was of modest importance until after the destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans in 70 C.E.  It then became a culturally flourishing community and for nearly three hundred years it was a center of Jewish learning.
 
During the Byzantine Period, Lod acquired religious importance to the Christian world.  The Jewish community which had prospered for hundreds of years was destroyed by the Crusaders who conquered Lod in the 11th century.  In the wake of the Mameluke invasion it became a desolate town.
 
Lod’s importance as a crossroad since ancient times, was renewed when the railroad was built in Israel.  It became a central crossroad in the country and eventually, nearby, Israel’s International Airport was built.