Bohemia
"Jacob's Dream" gold Medal of 10-1/2 Ducats 1639 MS63 NGC, Lanna-1377 var. (in silver), Löbbecke-487 var. (same), Madai-7230 var. (same), Montenuovo-Unl., cf. Katz-299 (slightly different design and date), Goppel-26 (same). 37.76gm. Perhaps one of the most beautiful medals in this collection, and a type whose imagery effortlessly invites appreciation. Depicting the jugate portraits of Jacob, wearing a pointed cap, and his wife Rachel on the obverse, the reverse contains a rendition of Jacob's dream of a ladder reaching into heaven as described in Genesis 28:10-19. The execution of this piece seems to far outrank any of the already scant silver pieces that have come to auction, the strength of the reliefs likely owing to a double-strike, most observable in the obverse legends.
Evidently unrecorded in gold, this type has been variously attributed to both Germany and Bohemia under Habsburg rule, the latter placement seemingly more appropriate, as the primary motifs closely follow the example listed in the Goppel catalog under the products of "the medal workshop of the Milicz Family," Wolf Milicz having been an engraver in Joachimsthal c. 1539-1545. Interestingly, the reverse scene is quite close to a wood-cut used in the original Luther Bibles, though with an uncertain cityscape in the background.
Ex. Numismatica Genevensis Auction 2 (November 2002, Lot 316)
https://coins.ha.com/itm/bohemia/bohemia-jacob-s-dream-gold-medal-of-10-1-2-ducats-1639-ms63-ngc-/a/3096-30137.s?type=CoinArchives3096
HID02906262019
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Estimate: 20000-30000 USD