Discover my collection in 3D
Virtual Gallery
Issuer: Nürnberg, Germany)
Type: Rechenpfennig / Token
Years: Undated (ca.1619)
Devise: Counter tokens
Composition: Brass
Weight: 4.19 g
Diameter: 28 mm
Mint: Nürnberg, Germany
Shape: round
Orientation: Medal alignment ↑↑
Grade: VG/F (Damages)
Obverse:
A man in traditional Spanish dress with harem pants and beret, stands with his feet in a balance. In his outstretched arms, he holds with his right hand a watch with a chain and a trophy/goblet, in his left hand a (money) bag.
Lettering:
ICH HAB DIE ANG[E]NE[H]ME KVNST DIE MACHT GERECHTI[G]
KEIT VND GVNST ISAIA S? V X CA
Translation:
Ich hab die angene(h)me Kunst, die macht Gerechtigkeit und Gunst ...
I have the pleasant Art, that makes Justice and Favour ...
Engraver: Wolf Lauffer II
Reverse:
At top, a hand from the clouds holds a scale (which is weighing a man on left pan holding a cross, against a skull and a bag of money on right pan). On the left is standing a man clothed only in a loincloth; holding a compass in his lowered right hand, and a square and a plumbline in his raised left hand. To the right is standing a man in a cape, with a book in raised left hand; and below a dog, standing right and eating.
In exergue numbers of Psams.
Lettering:
GELT MACHT SCHELCK
PSA. X. XLI
Translation:
Money makes bad
Psalms 10 . 41
Engraver: Wolf Lauffer II (1612-1651).
Comments:
Mint: Nürnberg (Nuremberg) - Rechenpfennig
Date from: Circa AD 1619
Copper alloy jetton of Wolf Lauffer II, allegorical type with male figure on one side and two men weighing man against money and a skull, cf Mitchiner p.492, c.1619
Rechenpfennige served up to the Middle Ages and the early modern times the calculation on the accounting board. The computational or Raitpfennige (also jetons) were produced by Rechenpfennigmachern or Flinderleinschlägern. In many cases, their portrayal referred to politics and history. The account payer Wolf Laufer here represents the "making money" as an art that brings justice and favour. On the downside, though, he talks about money making a bad character. This 17th century depiction is packed with symbols.
Reference : Mitchiner p.492 // MBNG 35, 1917, 1-138
Source : https://en.numista.com/catalogue/exonumi...
Collection : Exonumia