Six Day War commemorative medals, tokens, coins and key rings
 

Israel's surprising and complete victory of the Six Day War of June 1967 was celebrated in numerous ways, among else on medals, tokens, key chains, badges etcetera. Many of these items are offered on the internet and sometimes described as official decorations, but it should be stressed here that none of them are to be worn on uniforms. Sometimes these commemorative items are the basis of fake decorations, always described on eBay as extremely rare.

Click here to see Samples of fake decorations based on Six Day War commemorative medals

As a countermeasure, we present here some of the original commemorative items. Two basic themes dominated the designs: the heroes of the Six Day War, especially Chief of Staff Moshe Dayan and the reunification of Jerusalem on June 7, 1967.
Chief of Staff Moshe Dayan and Minister of Defense Yitzhak Rabin in the united Jerusalem, June 1967
 
Medallions/Key chains:
 
1   Front: Head of soldier and text: "6 Day War"

Back: The Emblem of the State of Israel

Size: 30 mm

Source: http://www.ebay.com

 

 
         
2   Front: Heads of Moshe Dayan and Yitzhak Rabin with helmets. Legend "Six Days' War 5-11.VI.1967

Back: The western wall of the Temple, with the text "7.VI.1967 Wailing Wall"

Size: 31 mm

Weight: 12.5 gram

Source: http://www.ebay.com

 

 
         
3   Front: War scene, head of Moshe Dayan and text: "6 Day War"

Back: Western Wall of Temple in Jerusalem, the candelabrum symbol of 20 years Independence celebrations and text: Israel Independence 20

Size: 40 mm

Source: http://www.ebay.com

 
         
4   Front: Moshe Dayan

Back: "War of Victory"

Moshe Dayan's announcement "They are many but we shall overcome them"

5-10.VI.67

Source: http://www.ebay.com

This is an early issue. The war was called "the War of Victory" until the name "Six Day War" became common.
         
5   Front: War Scene and the text "War of Victory", Jewish date of June 1967

Back: Rachel's tomb in Bethlehem, close to Jerusalem

above the text from Jeremiah 31:15-17 "The sons shall return to their borders."

Source: http://www.ebay.com

This is an early issue. The war was called "the War of Victory" until the name "Six Day War" became common.
         
6   Harel Brigade Commanders Meeting 12.9.1967

Front: Below the Harel Palmach emblem, a tank, text "Nabi Samuel" 12.9.1967

Legend below the tank: 1948 - 1967 Six Days

Back: empty

Source: http://www.ebay.com

 
         
7   Front: The text: "Six Years War" above several Israeli symbols, "for our people and humanity"

1939-1945

Back: a map of Israel and the territories occupied during the war between the text "Six Day War" and "1967"

Source: http://www.ebay.com

         
8   1967 Israeli Postal Authority Workers Committee soldiers' memorial commemorative medal, 1967; struck in bronze; no makers mark; weight: 32.55g; size (medal only): 40mm x 44.5mm.

Front: a small image of religious Jews praying at the Western Wall of the Old City of Jerusalem.

Back: Legend reads "Assembly of the Israel Post Workers' Committees [in] Unified Jerusalem 17 [in the month of] Tammuz 5727 25.7.67" with list of the names of the Postal Authority's fallen workers ("The Fallen of the Six Day War");

Issued roughly 7 weeks after the end of the Six Day War (which saw the liberation and unification of Jerusalem - specifically the Old City), and most likely because of the date 17 of Tammuz: in the Jewish calendar this day in the year 70 marks the start of the Roman siege on Jerusalem, which a little under a month later brought about the fall of the Second Temple (both dates marked by a fast), and eventually the exile of the Jews from the Holy Land.

With a blue-and-white ribbon cross-cut by a black ribbon of mourning.

Source: http://www.historama.com

 
         
9   Front: Moshe Dayan Hero 1967

Back: Map of the Middle East, legend: Israel's Victory 1967
         
10   Front: An Israeli ship passing through the Red Sea (the blocking of the Straits of Tiran by the Egyptians was one of the causes of the war)

Legend: Hebrew Bible texts of Jeremiah 31"The sons shall return to their borders"

and Isaiah 43 "I will bring your children from the east and gather you from the west."

Back: Shields of the 12 tribes of Israel, Hebrew and English legend: "Israel's 6 Day War- 5.VI-11.VI.1967"

Size: 40 mm

Source:

         
11   Front: Men praying at the Western wall of the Temple in Jerusalem, English and Hebrew legend: "The wailing wall 7.6.1967"

Back: The Emblem of the State of Israel surrounded by wreath of leaves.

Source: http://www.ebay.com

         
12   Front: Moshe Dayan at the Western wall of the Temple in Jerusalem, 7.VI.1967

Back: Hebrew Text from Psalm 137:5: "If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget her skill."
         
13   Front: Moshe Dayan at the Lions' gate in Jerusalem, above the text Israel 20

Back: Symbol of the 20 years Independence celebrations in 1968.

 
         
14   Front: Men praying at the Western wall of the Temple in Jerusalem, English legend: "7.VI.1967 Wailing Wall "

Back: old neighborhood, Jerusalem

Source: http://www.ebay.com 

         
15  

Front:  Conjoined helmeted busts of Dayan and Rabin, legend around MOSHE DAYAN ITZHAK RABIN. 

Back: View of the Knesset, “Jerusalem” above, “Parliament of Israel” below.

Material: Cupra-nickel

Size: 35mm

         
16  

Front:  Conjoined helmeted busts of Dayan and Rabin, legend around MOSHE DAYAN ITZHAK RABIN. 

Back: View of the Western Wall, Jerusalem rebuilt, Hebrew date

Material: Cupra-nickel

Size: 35mm

 
         
17   Mobile Ordnance Battalion
         
18     Mobile Ordnance Battalion
         
19   "We shall know how to defend our country"

Size: 34 mm

Source: http://www.ebay.com

         
20  

Back: The IDF Emblem on a map of Israel and the territories occupied during the war. The text "Victory of Zahal", 5-10.VI.1967

Back: Hanging flag of Israel, 20 (years Independence) Israel
 

Size: 34 mm

 

Source: http://www.ebay.com

         
21   Front: A tank above the text: Armoured Corps

Back: "Well done, Armoured Corps" above the dates: 5-10.VI.67

Size: 34 mm

Source: http://www.ebay.com

         
22   Front: Tower of David, Hebrew and English text: "And rebuild Jerusalem speedily in our days"

Back: Army Rabbi Goren at the Western Wall of the Temple, holding Torah scrolls and ramshorn. Around this the Hebrew text: "If I forget thee,  Jerusalem, let my right hand forget its skill!" and the dates of the war

Size: 34 mm

Source: http://www.ebay.com

         
23   Front: Rachels Tomb

Back: Yitzhak Rabin

Size: 33 mm

Source: http://www.ebay.com

         
24

  Front: Head of Moshe Dayan on background of Jerusalem's Lions' gate, lower part: the candelabrum symbol of 20 years Independence celebrations and text: Israel

Back: Angle's wings above the Hebrew text from Psalm 91:11 "For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways" and the word Jerusalem. Above the wings a radiating Star of David

Source: http://www.ebay.com

 
         
25   Front: Emblem of Israeli Air Force

Back: "Well done, Air Force" above the dates: 5-10.VI.67

Source: http://www.ebay.com

         
26   Front: Moshe Dayan and Western Wall in Jerusalem. Hebrew texts: Six Day War. Below 7.VI.1967 Jerusalem

Back: Hebrew text "Jerusalem of Gold" above old neighborhood and the dates 5-11.VI.1967

Size: 31 mm

Source: http://gmic.co.uk

         
27   Key Ring of IDF mobile ordnance battalion

Front : Sinai Desert with Bir Gifgafa , Hebrew text "Six Day War, June 1967" with symbol of IDF ordnance

Source: http://www.ebay.com

         
28   Front: 6 days in June 1967, Our War for Peace

Back : The Whole Jerusalem
         
29   Key ring

Competition of good driver and courteous workshop employee 1967

Showing of a map of the new boundaries of Israel 1967
         
         
         
 

Table medals and tokens:
 

      
1   Front: Jerusalem- David's Tower, Hebrew legend "Jerusalem of gold", English legend "Jerusalem"

Front: Head of Moshe Dayan on background of Western Wall, Hebrew text: "Six Day War", dated 5-11.VI.1967

Private medal by SELA-ISRAEL

Diameter: 37.5mm.

Material: 19 gram silver.

Source: http://www.ebay.com

         
2   Set of 2 commemorative medals for the Six Day War dedicated to MOSHE DAYAN & ITZHAK RABIN

Year of issue: ?
Diameter: 39 mm
Weight: 26.5 gm (each)
Metal: Silver

Source:http://www.ebay.com

 
         
3    
         
4   Front: Moshe Dayan, legend: June 1967 - Israel counters threat to her existence

Back: Shield of David with armed man, planting grape tree. English and Hebrew legend: How shall we sing the Lord's song in a strange land. Ps. 137:4

Size: 50 mm

Material: 50 gram  bronze

Source: http://www.ebay.com

         
5   Dutch version of above medal.

Gold, 7 gram
         
6   Front: Heads of Moshe Dayan and Yitzhak Rabin, legend in Hebrew and English of their names

Back: The IDF Emblem on a map of Israel and the territories occupied during the war. The text "Victory of Zahal", 5-10.VI.1967

Bronze medal: Size 60 mm, weight 90 gram

Silver medal: weight 25 gram

Source: http://www.ebay.com

 
         
7   Front: Heads of Moshe Dayan and Yitzhak Rabin, legend in Hebrew and English of their names

Back: Jerusalem- David's Tower and in Hebrew and English "Liberation of Jerusalem" 7.VI.1967

Bronze medal: Size 60 mm, weight: ?

Silver medal: Size 35 mm, weight 24.5 gram

Source: http://www.ebay.com

 
         
8   Front: Heads of Moshe Dayan and Yitzhak Rabin, legend in Hebrew and English of their names

Back: Soldier praying at the Western Temple Wall, legend "Liberation of Jerusalem 7.6.1967"

Material: 25 gram silver

Source: http://www.ebay.com

         
9   Front: War scene and text: "Israel's 6 Day War 5.VI.:10.VI.1967" in English and in Hebrew

Back: The Jewish candelabrum between the blessing: "Who has kept us alive and sustained us and brought us to this season" and the text from Isaiah 2:4 :

"Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore."

Size: 50 mm

 

 
         
10   Front: Moshe Dayan And Yitzhak Rabin at the Lions' gate in Jerusalem, 7.6.1967

On the back written: "MAY PEACE COME TO ISRAEL", combined with the number 20 of the 20 years Independence celebrations in 1968.

On the edge of the medal printed-State of Israel

Size: 60 mm and weight 100 gr

Source: http://www.ebay.com
         
11   Front: Moshe Dayan at the Lions' gate in Jerusalem, 7.6.1967

Back: Left: Western Temple Wall with soldiers, right: Rachel's and Cave of Machpelah, Middle: Sword with legend "The six days war 5.6.-10.6.1967.

Size: 60 mm

Material: Silver plated

Source: http://www.ebay.com

 
         
12   Front: Levi Eshkol, Prime Minister of Israel

Back: Back: a map of Israel and the territories occupied during the war, the text "The Six-Day War 5-10 June 1967" above a Jewish candelabrum

Bronze medal: Size 51 mm, weight 63 gram

Silver medal: Size?, weight 30 gram

Source: http://www.ebay.com

 

 
         
13   Front: Dr. Abba Hillel Silver

Back "Vision and Victory 1967" above Israeli flag held by soldier and hand of civilian

Size: 60 mm

Source: http://www.ebay.com

 
         
14   Front: Moshe Dayan And Yitzhak Rabin at the Lions' gate of Jerusalem

Back: View of Jerusalem  surrounded by text: "Take oath to us that Jerusalem shall never be returned to strangers" "the liberators before battle"

Size: 60 mm

Source: http://www.ebay.com

 
         
15   Front: Eagle surrounded by Hebrew texts: "Paratrooper brigade" and "Six Day War"

Back: Hebrew text: Battles of the Brigade

Umm Katef
Gaza
Jerusalem
Latrun - Ramalla
Darbashia- Jelbina
Southern Golan Heights

Size: 59 mm

Source: http://www.ebay.com

         
16   French Israeli Six Day War commemorative medal, 1967; struck in silver (marked 999 on rim); no artist/maker mark; weight: 13.1g; size: 33mm:

Back: Flag of Israel with sword and olive branch on either side and a variation of the French national motto ("Liberty, Brotherhood, Equality) rendered here as "Freedom, Peace, Brotherhood", the Hebrew word "Bazak" ("swift") and "Under the Star of David, Campaign of 6 Days" and the period underneath;

Front: a legend in Hebrew along the edge "With G-d's Will Was Saved the Peace of the World" with images of a plane, a tank and the Torah.

Possibly issued by French-Jewish volunteers in the war effort.

Source: http://www.historama.com

         
17   Medal dedicated to the battle on Ammunition Hill, Jerusalem

Front: Map of united Jerusalem

Back: Ammunition Hill
         
18    
         
19    
         
20    
         
21   This medal is part of a series of gold medals dedicated to events in the history of Israel.

Gold 24 K plated, Size: 44 mm, Weight 40.5 gram

Source: http://www.ebay.com

 
         
22   Bronze gold plated medal


Size 39mm, Weight: 24g

Source: http://www.ebay.com
 
         
23     Israel 1967 Private Issue Medal Six Day War
57mm, 90gm, silver .999 in Olive Wood Box

Obverse: Soldier stands guard over the Old City of Jerusalem, Western Wall, enclosed by the walls of Jerusalem; 7 June 1967 in English, & Date in Hebrew
Reverse: I Have Set Watchmen Upon Thy Walls O Jerusalem (Isaiah) Emblem of Israel Defense Forces - Sword with Olive Branch


Source:https://www.ebay.com/str/bsdcoins?_trksid=p2047675.m3561.l2563
         
         
24    1967 Israel War for Peace 37mm Silver Plated Brass Medal

Source: https://www.ebay.com/str/brooklyngallery?_trksid=p2047675.m3561.l2563  
         
25     
ISRAEL 6 Days War commemorative medal
 JERUSALEM LIBERATION June 07.1967.
"JERUSALEM SHALL NEVER BE RETURNED TO STRANGERS".
The medal was awarded to citizens and organizations that helped the army before and during the war.
Diameter: 2'4"(60 mm)
Bronze.114 gr

Source: https://www.ebay.com/str/zitnicacollectiblesworld?_trksid=p2047675.m3561.l2563  
         
26   
Israel 1967 IDF Six Days War We Shel Know How To Defend Our Country

Source:https://www.ebay.com/str/sncoins?_trksid=p2047675.m3561.l2563

(And maybe we will also start using spelling checkers)  
         
27   
Israel 1967 IDF Six Days War We Look Forward To Peace

Source: https://www.ebay.com/str/sncoins?_trksid=p2047675.m3561.l2563 
         
28   
ISRAEL - '1967 Six day war' GOLD (0.900 fineness) MEDALLION 1/8 oz

Front: MOSHE DAYAN

Reverse: Map of Israel

Source:https://www.ebay.com/str/seahorsestamps?_trksid=p2047675.m3561.l2563 
         
 

Coins:
 

      
1   ISRAEL VICTORY COIN 1967


Face value:10 Israeli Lira , Metal: Silver 900, Weight: 26 gr.

Diameter: 37mm.

This item was Issued by Israel Government Coins and Medals Corporation Ltd.
         
  With thanks to Ron Kohls and others who contributed pictures!