GERMANY. Nürnberg. Circa 1700. AR religious medal. 14.46 gm. 38 mm. (Unsigned). Tobias with fish and dog to left, the prophet Samuel to right; legend roughly translated: "2. Hardworking as Tobias, Faithful as Samuel to the Lord' around, '3 Such youth' in exergue / Joseph to left and Daniel to right, with lions behind; '1. Art thou chaste as Joseph's soul, wise as Daniel yonder' around, '4 One loves gladly' in exergue. Near Extremely Fine; attractive old toning.

From the Book of Tobit/Tobias: Tobias is sent on an errand by his father, and is accompanied by the angel Raphael in disguise. He is shown here with his dog and the monstrous fish he captured from the Tigris river. He later uses the fish's heart, gall, and liver to protect his future wife Sara from an evil spirit, and to restore his father's sight. Raphael was venerated as a healer and a protector of travelers, and the story was a common artistic theme during the Renaissance. The image of Tobias carrying a fish and accompanied by a dog and the angel Raphael gradually evolved to represent the image of the Guardian Angel.