Historama Autumn Mail Auction #5

Italy: Jesus medal in copper, c. 16th C.; not maker-marked; size: 28.5mm; weight: 10.75g. Obv.: left facing Christ, with Hebrew initial "Alef" (for 'Adoneinu' - 'Our Lord') & "Yeshu" ('Jesus') on either side. Rev.: 5-line Heb. legend (w/incorrect letters) as per Hill p.50 ex. 2b: משיח | מלך באבש | לום ואדמא | רם עשוי | חי, with 'Mashiach' spelled with 'Yud' under the letter 'Khet'. Portrait of Christ said to be of Venetian School; medal issued in 16th Century to Jewish converts to Christianity - made in 3 different sizes. A similar medal (32mm size) to this one was sold at auction (2009) for $3500; GJPM-20.