Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1883-08-02
MARTIN LUTHER MEDALS.
The Curious Collection in the Possession
of An Artist in New York
Mem York S3tH
..Extensive preparations are now being


Extensive preparations are now being
made " said a German artist to a San re-
porter yesterday, ''fOr the worldwide
celebration of the four hundredth ami
yersary of the birth of Martin Luther
whose natal day was November 10. 1888. In
this country it is proposed to begin the
celebration on the 31st of October, which
will be the 366th anniversary of the Pro-
testant Reformation in Germany. Bygone
centennial celebrations of Luther's birth
and work have been attended with great
ceremony in Europe. Perhaps you are
not aware that medals have been struck
on such occasions"
''Have you any of these medals - the
reporter asked.
without replying, but making a signi-
fcant gesture, the artist stepped across
the room to an Old-fashioned cabinet.
This he unlocked slowly. He then drew
out a box, whose contents he emptied on
the top of the cabinet. There were a
number of manila envelopes, in each
of which was medal. Next he produced
a large, Octagonal case. The medals
jingled, but the case was ponderous. As
he disclosed his treasures the eyes of the
artist sparkles.
every little is known of Luther medals
in this country" said he, removing the
lid of the case, 'sand you do not often see
medals of that size. 1t is one of the latest
in my collection, but not the least by any
means. Heavy, isn't it? The weight is
over ten ounces. 1t is Al inches in diam
eter, and about half an inch thick. The
medal was struck at the beginning of this
century to commemorate the mailing of the
theses on the door of the castle church at
Wittenberg by Luther. You think that's
fine portrait? Yes; it is after Lucas
Kranach, the celebrated painter and en-
graver.''
The medal resembled a big relief plaque.
The strong, massive face of Luther stood
out a quarter of an inch from the surface,
every lineament being stamped with in
telligence and thought. On the diverse
was an animated representation of the
scenes at the church door, with Luther in
robes, directing attention to his challenge.
The encircling legend in German read:
"With God Begun at Wittenberg, 31st
October, 15l7."
Having carefully replaced this medal,
the artist shook two or three OF the small
Ter silver medals out of their pouches.
They were each originally about as large
and heavy as a half dollar, but each was
set in the rim that the coin collector puts
upon his more valuable specimens. One
of them attracted the reporters notice.
On its face was the portrait of ''Martin:
LutheruS D., and on the other side an in
scription running from top to bottom, line
after line, without a break. 1t bristled
with as many dates as an almanac.
That" said the artist as he put it I'M
der powerful magnifying glass, sis a
Luther medal about $50 years old, epitomi-
zlng the RefOrmer'S career. 1t is rare;
probably there is not another in this
country. But here is greater curiosity"
and he shook out a larger medal. ''This
silver piece, which is "a inches in diam
eter, was struck on June %, 1880, by
John. ElectOr of SaXony, who declares
freely and boldly that the doctrine he has
confessed is the road to eternal life.
Johns face there is considered by numiS-
matists to be very finely executed. Such
work is uncommon nowadays. Here,
again, is an oval medal i'll silver, issued
during Luther's lifetime, and bearing
head of Christ. This bronze medal, 81
inches in diameter, is dated in the year
of our Lord 1885, and bears the portrait of
John Frederick, with the electoral arms.
A hundred years later we have this
double gold ducat issued by John George,
then Elector, dated 1880, and commence
rating the Augsburg confession. The
double ducat was given to monarchs of
high degree, but the single ducats were
distributed to minor princes and pO-
tentAtes, of whom Germany alone had then
so many that it kept the mint active for
some time to supply them. This other
uNiCdO 10 vi IOIlY INC CGHlGHHldl vi bu6 w IL
tenberg incident. GOnder is a bronze
medal foI the third centennial of the Re
formation in Leipzig, and that silver
medal near it was struck in Hamburg in
1870. Its neighbOr, of yellow bronze, is
the most recent of all. 1t was struck in
1897 for the Schmalkalden celebration, the
famous Articles Of Schmalkald having
been adopted there 800 years before. In
fact. l could give you the history of
| II md fhn Dot, II ion, .
collection, if were to go on"
"What are these other old medals?7
asked the reporter, pointing to two or three
that had been put aside.
"Ah! those are not less important and
interesting. This very old medal belongs
to the pre-Reformation period. On this
side is the portrait of John Huss, and on
the other he is seen at the stake saying,
"A hundred years hence you will do
justice to God and to me. He was burned
in 14l5. This other is an Apahantist
dollar. struck at Leyue III 1Oo4.