Historama Autumn Mail Auction #5

Czechoslovakia: 700th Anniversary of Altneuschul ("Old-New" Synagogue) bronze comm. medal, 1990, by Jiri Vaclav Hampl; 60mm, 83.7g. Obv: Altneuschul building & dates 1290 | 1990 + Czech/Heb leg. "700 Years for the Altneuschul". Rev: Star of David w/Swedish cap in center, abv. gravestones of the old Jewish cemetery & Czech leg. "The Jewish Religious Community in Prague". Sw. Cap & SoD reference such flag presented to Jew. Comm. by Habsburg Emperor Ferdinand II to thank it for its aid in defending city from beseiging Swedish army during Thirty Years War (1618-48) & still hangs from center pillars of Synagogue. Medal issued c. Sept 1990 for sale by State Jewish Museum of Prague to raise funds, as it returned to private control & stopped receiving state support. Hampl (b. 1929) has extensive medallic portfolio & this medal chief Jew. theme; also Memorial to Children's Victims of War in Lidice. Oxidation mark on obv. & sm. on rev.