Classical Numismatic Group, LLC
Triton XXV 11-12 Jan 2022
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GERMANY, Uncertain. AR Medal (41mm, 29.28 g, 6h). "Federjude" (Feather Jew) type. By Christian Wermuth. Struck late 17th/early 18th century. ICH TRAGE DIE FEDERN DASS JEDERMAMM SCHAUT/ EIN ANDER TRÄGET SIE DER ES NICHT TRAUT, Jewish merchant standing left, holding small bag reading VI/TIA/ ALI/ENA in script; on back, large sack reading VITA PROPRIA; in exergue, two hands pointing at one another and IEDU FEDER IUDE/ NOSCE TE IPSUM / VON / HANREY NVR NICHT/ SCOLTCE,/ DANN DIESES IST/ VERISSIME,/ DASS VIELE DVRCH DIE/ CORNUR,/ SIND KOMMEN IN/ OFFICER. Edge: EST IST EIN DING DAS WOHL BETRACHT EIN IEDER NEHM SEINE FRAU IN ACHT. Ophthalmologia XI.128 (this medal illustrated); Friedenberg, Medals p. 10-12. Toned, a few small edge nicks. EF. Rare.
From the Dr. Jay M. Galst Collection.
The "Federjude" (Feather Jew) medals are a series of anti-Semitic pieces produced in Germany in the early 18th century. The symbolism of the type is not clear. It may be an allegory of a cuckold, or simply represent an ethnic slur. Friedenberg suggests that the "feathers" in the sack indicate that the figure is a "spiritual cuckold," and that the medal depicts a court Jew.
From the Dr. Jay M. Galst Collection.
The "Federjude" (Feather Jew) medals are a series of anti-Semitic pieces produced in Germany in the early 18th century. The symbolism of the type is not clear. It may be an allegory of a cuckold, or simply represent an ethnic slur. Friedenberg suggests that the "feathers" in the sack indicate that the figure is a "spiritual cuckold," and that the medal depicts a court Jew.