Mystery Medal

Drachmyre

Well Ive spent a good deal of time trying to find out about this medal. Hopefully someone here can point me in the right direction.

Our family has had it about 60 years. It was inside a desk that was purchased at auction on the east coast of the US, inside a locked drawer with a number of other older US coins. It is made out of silver. The first two photos show front and back in scale with a couple other coins. The front is believed to be a depiction of Christ. The reverse has what ive been told may be representations of the four apostles.






Ill check for replies here. Or you can email to Drachmyre@yahoo.com.

Anything would help.

Thanks

Tom

AuldFartte

I googled the legend on the obverse and found this ... but as it's in German ... well ... I can't translate it.

Christusklippe


Keine Münze, sondern eine württembergische Medaille in Klippenform aus dem Jahr 1626, die in der Regierungszeit von Herzog Johann Friedrich (1608-1628) im Gewicht eines Vierteltalers geprägt wurde. Die Vs. zeigt das Brustbild Christi mit dem lat. Bibelzitat EGO SVM VIA VERITAS & VIT (Ich bin der Weg, die Wahrheit und das Leben) in der Umschrift. Die Mitte der Rs. ist mit einem hebräischen Schriftzug (Jehova) versehen, darum die Symbole der vier Evangelisten mit württembergischen Wappenschilden dazwischen. Ein Jahr später wurde eine Klippe mit der gleichen Rückseitendarstellung gefertigt, die Vs. zeigt das Christuskind, das mit einer Weltkugel in der Hand auf eine Schlange tritt.

ah ... here's a translation of sorts ...

Christ cliff
No coin, but wuerttembergische medal in cliff form from the year 1626, which was coined/shaped in the reign by duke Johann Friedrich (1608-1628) in the weight of a Vierteltalers. The Vs. shows the chest picture Christi with lat. Bible quotation EGO SVM VIA VERITAS & VIT (I am the way, the truth and the life) in the transcription. The center of R-S is provided with a Hebrew signature (Jehova), therefore the symbols of the four EH gelists with wuerttembergischen Wappenschilden between them. One year later was manufactured a cliff with the same back representation, the Vs. shows the Christ child, who steps with a world ball in the hand on a queue.

traderdave

I would suspect that there is more to the story, because of the symbolism on the back. I have emailed a bit more about that.

Askari

A Christusklippe is indeed what it is. They are not often seen and this one is actually in pretty nice condition. The Google translation came out better than most and gives a good general sense of it. The Hebrew letters for Yahweh were fairly common on 17th century coins and medals. The four creature emblems at the corners of the reverse are traditional symbols for the Four Evangelists. I'm not aware of any "extra" symbolism to it, but I certainly wouldn't rule it out since Masonry and other similar movements were active; that would get into an area in which I know little to nothing, though.

Drachmyre

Well, given the information from the first reply, I decided to dig into what I could. Just knowing this came from Germany narrowed what appeared to be a vast area to search through.

First of all, it seems strange to me that there would be latin on one side and hebrew on the other. Second, Christ is wearing a necklace, which is very odd.

But, ignoring that, I started searching the web for information about Johann Friedrich, and the Duchy of Wurttemberg (or Wuerttemberg). Not suprising I found mostly pages in german. But I did find some family trees of the guy.

Then- on an inspiration I did a search of Crests of Germanic Cities. I found a great site one the Cities of Wurttemberg.

On the reverse is one with 2 fishes. Used by the City of Freudenstadt, founded 1599. Became a fairly important mining town for awile

The checkered one was used by the town of Oberndorf, established in 1270, and used in various forms up until 1935

The 3rd i found was the banner and bird- its not really recognisable as such until you see the real crest. Ludwigsberg uses it now. A quote from elsewhere "the city developed around the hunting castle Schloss Ludwigsburg from 1704 onwards, and received city rights in 1718. The new city choose to use the Imperial Banner in its arms. The banner was used by the Dukes of Schwaben since 1495. It was a symbol for several imperial rights the Dukes possessed. Why the banner was chosen is not known."

Im going to see what i can dig up about the Dukes of Schwaben next- as it seems relivant.

So, with the 3 crests all being from the same area, I think its definatly the correct path. If only I could read german.

Tom

Askari

You're definitely on the right path ... and you seem to be doing very well despite not knowing German! If you get stuck, there are a few here who can help out with the German. BTW, I don't think that's a necklace around Christ's neck. I think that's a linen shirt.

Udo

The 4.crest - 3 deer antler - this is the crest of Württemberg.

In fact Freudenstadt and Oberndorf are about 40km away from my hometown.

Drachmyre

Its almost funny, I dont know how i missed the crest as being such. Guess it was a case of looking for so much detail I missed the big picture.

D.

Drachmyre

Well after more research, the 4 crests arent cities at all. Each represents a whole duchy/county at the time. Wurttemberg, Schwaben, Mompelgard, and Teck. Its so hard to find "pure" crests from 1626. If anyone can help me come up with maps of the later two it would be appreciated. Also, I recieved an email that a specimin of this medal was auctioned in 1975 by the Gallerie des Monnaies, Dusseldorf Auction 15 and was Lot # 155. If anyone out there is able to lay hands on a copy of this, or a copy of a copy, I would greatly like to get a scan/copy of it.

Thanks

Tom