Watch List notes:

Palestine (Russia?): Rishon LeZion settlement/Theodore Herzl commemorative token, circa. 1898; bronze; not maker-marked; size: 26mm x 32.25mm; weight: 6.8g. Obverse: view of Rishon LeZion settlement with legend (Yeshayahu, ch. 41) "The first to Zion ['Rishon LeZion'] here they are, and to Jerusalem a portent I shall give" & "Colonia Rishon LeZion" at base; Hebrew date "1882" in exergue. A rare (3rd) variant of these Rishon LeZion tallions: appears to commemorate Herzl's visit there on 26 Oct. 1898, whose arrival was met with excitement and pride, per winery director David Yudilovich's diary: "And here approached me a fellow countryman... and presents: Dr. Herzl. It was as if I froze, I was seized by trembling and fear. A tremor passed through my body. I didn't know what to do with myself. The whole group entered the large hall. And I stand and am astonished: Herzl is in Eretz Israel?! Herzl is here?! Herzl is here?! And in the official's [of Rothschild] house?!..." Herzl stayed overnight, visiting the winery, the house of Rothschild's official, and being entertained by Rishon LeZion's symphony orchestra. Spelling mistakes in the text suggest foreign manufacture. Rare.