Obverse: May it shine forever! 1617. Reverse: God’s Word is Luther’s teaching. Therefore, it will not fade away, now and forever. Martin Luther Doctor of Theology. First Jubilee. 1617. The swan is an allusion to the reformer John Hus, who said that in his day they were roasting a goose (Hus) by burning him at the stake, but in the future a swan would come who could not be stopped. Luther identified himself with this swan. Sachsen, Kurfürstentum, Johann Georg I, 1615-1656. Weight 12.8 gr; Height 32.95 mm; Width 32.96 mm. Brozatus #689; Schnell 56.
Obverse: Frederick the Wise and Martin Luther. The word of the Lord abides forever.
Reverse: G.Z.E. = Gott zur Ehr. Luther has brought God’s word to light from the darkest night. Therefore the Christian multitude should thank God since he has sustained it for one hundred years. Martin Luther Doctor of Theology. 1617 or 1717. The inscription on the reverse and the chronogram point to 1617, but Whiting claims that the medal was designed by Georg Hautsch, which would require the 1717 date. Sachsen, Kurfürstentum, Friedrich August I, 1694-1733. See also the next medal. C. M. = Christian Müller. Weight 21.5 gr; Height 33.2 mm; Width 44 mm. Brozatus #935; cf. 935b; Schnell 53; Whiting 246.
Obverse: The word of the Lord abides forever. Frederick the Wise and Luther stand by a table. The elector holds a sword and points to the tetragrammaton (Yahweh). Luther holds a candle and points with his left hand to the opened Scriptures.
Reverse: Since the light of the word has been returned to Christianity through Luther’s faithful hand, the Christian multitude now praises God for two hundred years. Martin Luther Doctor of Theology. Sachsen Kurfürstentum, Friedrich August I, 1694-1733. 1717. Medal designed by Georg Hautsch. Weight 21.4 gr; Height 43.92 mm; Width 43.81 mm. Brozatus 932 or 932b; Schnell 108; Whiting 247.
Obverse: Martin Luther Doctor of Theology Born 1483; Died 1546. Second jubilee 1717.
Reverse: Catarina von Bora, Luther’s wife. Succesib’ foecundum (rich in descendants). On sleeve: NVP (married) 1525. Gotha. Design by Christian Wermuth. Weight 28.9 gr; Height 43.77 mm; Width 43.79 mm. Brozatus #869; Schnell 174; Zak 73.
Obverse: Luther holding the Bible. The word of the Lord abides forever. Nov 10, 1483-Feb 18, 1546.
Reverse: John Hus (Ioa Hus) July 6, 1373-July 4, 1415. I believe in the one, holy, catholic church. Issued in 1717. Weight 4.6 gr; Height 20.71 mm; Width 20.52 mm. Brozatus, #27, who dates it to 17th century; Zak 91.
Obverse: Dr. Martin Luther Doctor of Theology. Reverse: Joy for the second century. MDCCXVII. Sachsen Kurfürstentum. Friedrich August I, 1694-1733. Four children holding religious symbols: book, cross, olive branch, monk’s hat or freedom hat. Weight 14.0 gr; Height 32.92 mm; Width 32.90 mm. Brozatus #931; Schnell 105; Whiting 254; Zak 56.
Obverse: Iubilaei: Secundi. Solennitas Digne Celebrata Halae Cocharicae. Des zweiten Jubiläums Festlichkeit, wärdig begangen in Hall am Kocher. Reverse Nullas hic metuit undas. This one (Noah) fears no waves 1717. Hall am Kocher. Schwäbisch Hall. Weight 4.0 gr; Height 28.52 mm; Width 28.15 mm. Brozatus #976; Schnell 141.
Obverse: Martin Luther, Doctor of Theology.
Reverse: “I have planted; God gave the increase”
October 31 Issued at Nürnberg in 1717. Weight 3.5 gr; Height 20.41 mm; Width 20.5 mm Brozatus #915; Schnell 157
Obverse: May it shine forever. 1717 Yahweh at top. Angel and Luther below.
Reverse: By the grace of God Frederick III the Wise 1463-1525 elector of Saxony and Johann Georg I 1585-1656 elector of Saxony. 1617. Sachsen Kurfürstentum. Friedrich August I, 1694-1733. Weight 14.9 gr; Height 32.33 mme; Width 32.34 mm. Brozatus #936; Whiting 251. Zak 58.
Duplicate of previous medal.
Obverse: Paul De Burgemeistero. Ierem-Spindlero. Ierem, Godelmanno P. T. Coss (Under the contemporary mayors Paul von Burgemeister, Jeremias Spindler, and Jeremias Godelmann).
Martin Luther Doctor of Theology. Reverse: Memor.Iubilaei.II.Celebrati in S.R.I. Civitate Esslinga. (in memory of the second jubilee, that was celebrated in Esslingen on October 31, 1717. Conservet Dominus Lumen in Urbe Sua. May the Lord preserve light in his city. Issued at Esslingen in 1717. Weight 11.4 gr; Height 21.8 mm; Width 32.25 mm. Brozatus # 864; Whiting 167.
Obverse: Martin Luther Doctor of Theology. The word of the Lord abides forever.
Reverse: Glory be to you in the highest, Lord. Jubil Secund. (Second Jubilee) Civit lib imp Rotenb. (Free imperial city of Rothenburg). Issued by Rothenburg ob der Tauber 1717. Weight 4.0 gr; Height 27.14 mm; Width 29.8 mm. Brozatus #926; Whiting 240; Zak 52.
Obverse: What Luther taught is in accord with the Scriptures. Born November 10, 1483; Died February 18, 1546.
Reverse: Therefore it remains undamaged forever just like a rock. The second centennial October 31 1717. Issued in Hamburg in 1717. Weight 2.7 gr; Height 21.8 mm; Width 21.85 mm. Brozatus #880; Whiting 181.
Obverse: Martin Luther Doctor of Theology. Reverse: Help your people, Lord Jesus Christ. Bless what is your inheritance. Cf. Ps 28:9. Second Evangelical Celebration Festival. October 31, 1717. Issued at Leipzig. Weight 14.7 gr; Height 33.02 mm; Width 33.34 mm. Brozatus #895; Schnell 148; Whiting 196.
Obverse: Martin Luther Doctor of Theology.
Reverse: Its leaves never wither Psalm 1:3. In memory of the second century, evangelical Jubilee. October 31. Issued at Nürnberg. Weight 14.5 gr; Height 32.19 mm; Width 32.25 mm. Brozatus #911; Schnell 158; Whiting 223-226; Zak 45.
Obverse: Doctor Martin Luther. What a goose thought about, this swan brought to completion.
Reverse: To thank you through God’s grace, we have this doubled good thing (Bible and catechism carried by angels). 1717 Kursachsen. Weight 6.3 gr; Height 26.42 mm; Width 26.52 mm. Brozatus #30; cf. 31-32; Schnell 110; Zak 64,
Obverse: John Ernst VIII (1680-1729) Iubilaeum Saalfel diagit in laetitia. Saalfeld observes the second Jubilee in joy.
Reverse: Dogmata Lutheri stabunt in secula. The teachings of Luther will stand for centuries. Saxe-Saalfeld 1717.1/8 Taler. Weight 3.5 gr; Height 25.75 mm; Width 25.99 mm. ZBrozatus #965; Zak 77
Obverse: The teachings of Luther will stand for many centuries. 1517.
Reverse: John Ernst VIII (1680-1729). Iubilaeum Saalfel Dia Agit In Laetitia. Saalfeld observes the second Jubilee with joy. 1/4 Reichstaler. Weight 1.7 gr; Height 21.35 mm; Width 21.36 mm. Brozatus #966; Schnell 120; Whiting 288 or 290.
Photographs contributed by the Rev. Frederick J. Schumacher
Bibliography
Brozatus, Klaus-Peter. Refomatio in Nummis. Osnabrück: Künker, 2015
Schnell, Hugo. Martin Luther und die Reformation auf Münzen und Medaillen. München: Klinkhardt & Biermann, 1983.
Martin Luther und die Reformation auf Münzen und Medaillen. Collection of Robert B. Whiting. April 1983.
The Story of Martin Luther and the Reformation as Told by the Coin, Medal, Jetton Collection of Miss H. E. Zak. September 1979.
Smith, Thurman L. Coins and Medals of the Reformation: A Select Bibliography. Sixteenth Century Bibliography 32. St. Louis: Center for Reformation Research, 1995.
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