Large world coppers...

[Prieure de Sion]

 

Pope Gregory XIII, Italy Vatican, Medal minted 1572

 

Not my biggest medal in terms of weight or dimensions, but the biggest that makes me shudder every time. Minted for the "joy" of the massacre of the Huguenots in Paris 1572 during the famous Bartholomew's Night. Also known as the "Parisian Blood Wedding". You can see a winged angel on the back, a sword in one hand, a cross in the other. Dead Huguenots lie on the ground, other corpses are loaded onto a cart for removal. Pope Gregory XIII did not directly support the massacre. However, he expressly welcomed the slaughter of the Huguenots.

Thus, two contradictory events remain in the memory of this Pope. In a good and in a terrible way, Pope Gregory XIII inscribed himself in the history books. In connection with the Night of St Bartholomew, but also in connection with his calendar reform. His Gregorian calendar is the calendar we use today.

Sources if you are interested: 
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Bartholomew's_Day_massacre
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pope_Gregory_XIII
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gregorian_calendar

 

 

Edited July 26, 2022 by YOTHR

[Prieure de Sion]

King Friedrich Wilhelm III. 1797-1840, Medal, City of Berlin 1839

 

King Friedrich Wilhelm III. 1797-1840, Medal from 1839, Material: AE Bronze, Diameter: 45mm, Weight: 55.93, Obverse: Conjoined busts of King Friedrich Wilhelm III and Joachim II / KURFUERST IOACHIM II 1539 * KOENIG FRIEDRICH WILHELM III 1839, Reverse: Original Reformation confession scene / TRINKET ALLE DARAUS MATTH. 26 v.27 * SUCHET IN DER SCHRIFT SIE SITS DIE VON MIN ZEUGET IOH. 5 v.39

I would like to introduce a newcomer here.

A commemorative medal in honour of Joachim II "Hector" (born 13 January 1505 in Cölln; died 3 January 1571 in Köpenick) from the Hohenzollern dynasty was Margrave of Brandenburg from 1535 to 1571 as well as Elector and Arch Chamberlain of the Holy Roman Empire. His mother was early inclined towards the teachings of Martin Luther and therefore had to flee from his father in 1528. By his father's will of 1534, the Neumark and other parts of the country passed to his younger brother Johann as the Margraviate of Brandenburg-Küstrin. In 1524 Joachim married the daughter Magdalene of the Saxon duke, and thus initially tied himself more closely to the Catholic side.

This medal refers to the following historical background: In 1539 Joachim introduced a new church order in the Mark Brandenburg, after consultations with Philipp Melanchthon. This adopted the Reformation practice of priestly marriage and the chalice for lay people at the Lord's Supper, and the doctrine of justification according to Luther's theology. Otherwise, he strove to retain Catholic traditions in order to remain an interlocutor for both sides in negotiations in the Empire. On 1 November 1539, he personally took part for the first time in a service with the celebration of the Lord's Supper in both forms, probably in the Nikolaikirche in Spandau. However, this event was only very vaguely recorded in contemporary testimonies, so that the exact sequence of events cannot be clearly reconstructed to this day. On 2 November 1539, another Protestant service probably took place in the Nikolaikirche in Berlin.

Therefore, this medal was issued on 02 November 1839, exactly 300 years later.

 

 

Edited July 26, 2022 by YOTHR

[ChrisB]

Goetz Medal called the Bismark Mausoleum medal. It's a pretty dark (subject matter) medal. It fits this thread because it is a beast weighing over 11 ounces. 

 

Depicts "The Bismarck Mausoleum (Bismarck Grabhaus)", Cast Bronze Medal, 356.00g., 105mm, by Karl Goetz, 1919. 

Obverse: Bismarck in the heavens, defiantly clenching his fists with clouds swirling around him. 
Legend: Was ich mit Hulfe des deutschen Volkes schuf in grosser Zeit - das hat der Wahn eines einzelnen zerstort • Das deutsche Volk hat sich durtch Unterzeichnung des Friedens von Versailles selbst aus der Reihe der Grossmächte gestrichen • War es fruher gehasst.so wird es jetzt mit Recht verachtet • Es muss sich sogarselbst verachten bis diese Schmach mit dem Blute unserer Feinde abgewaschen wird?" (What I created with the help of the German people over a long period of time - which has been destroyed by the delusion of a single individual. The German people have struck themselves from the list of great powers by subscribing to the Peace of Versailles. It (Germany) was formerly hated, it is now justifiably despised. It must, therefore, despise itself so much until this disgrace will be cleansed with the blood of our enemies). 

Reverse: Bismarck's burial place in the Saxon Forest. 
Legend: "Deutschlands Ehre, Grosse und Gluck begraben im Sachsenwalde" (Germany's Honor, Greatness and Good Fortune lie buried in the Saxon Forest). 

Dated: April 1, 1899, (Kienast 230)

Bismarck died in 1898 when the German empire he was instrumental in founding was still an ascendant power. This medal struck in the climate of despair and national shame following Germany's defeat in the Great War depicts a Bismarck angered by the failure of the German people, scolding them from the grave.