Historama Autumn Mail Auction #5

Germany > Prussia: Jewish silver calendar medal, 1804/5565, by Daniel Friedrich Loos; 44mm, 19.25g. Obv.: shining sun in center w/latin "1804" & Heb. "5565" dates + 3 rings around w/text & dates; title at top "Calender". Rev.: calendar w/moon phase symbols, Jewsh holidays & Prussia's royal family (Friedrich Wilhelm III) birthdates below. Of Jewish interest are the references and dates for "Jüdischen Ostern" ["Jewish Easter" - Passover], "Zerstörung Jerusalems" ["Destruction of Jerusalem" - Tisha Be'Av], "Versöhnung" ["Reconciliation" - Yom Kippur] & "Lauberhüt" [Sukkot]. Such period Jew. medals are documented for Hamburg where Jewish merchant class was highly regarded; for Prussia, this type of medal is almost unknown: possible purpose for issue was appreciation felt for Wilhelm III's predecessor, Friedrich Wilhelm II, who in his time (1786-97) instituted reforms granting Jews greater rights; William III did not support predecessor's policies & instead promoted restrictive legislation against Jews. In VF-EF, w/excellent detail & much original luster; slightly uneven planchet.