AUSTRIA. Joseph II/Edict of Tolerance White Metal Medal, 1781. NGC MS-62.
Julius-2775; Forrer-IV, p. 308; Polak-11. By Johann Leonhard Oexlein. Diameter: 43.5mm. Obverse: Bust of Joseph II facing right, perimeter legend AMOR ET DELICIAE GENERIS HVMANI.; ligatured signature OE. below bust; Reverse: lower portion of an obelisk with seven-line inscription LIBERTAS / RELIGIONIS / A IOSEPHO II / IN TERRIS SVIS / PROTESTANTIBVS / ET IVDAEIS DATA MDCCLXXXI; figure standing at right observing the inscription; background flora. Copper plug as issued. Hapsburg Emperor Joseph II desired for Austria to be an Enlightened State; he began to place restrictions on Catholic worship and Papal power, following these actions with the issue of the 1781 Patent of Toleration granting limited religious freedoms to Protestants, and the 1782 Edict of Tolerance granting limited freedoms to the Jewish population of Lower Austria. The initial document allowed non-Catholic Christians to hold private religious exercises within the Hapsburg Empire, though with many restrictions - including that their houses of worship could not look like churches. The 1782 document distanced Joseph significantly from the anti-Jewish mindset of his mother, Maria Theresa. The edict expanded educational opportunities, allowed Jews entry to certain trades, and eliminated some other restrictions. Limits on the use of Hebrew and Yiddish languages and permissible locations for synagogues remained in place however. This medal offers satiny surfaces of a white argent, with some slate-hued toning on the higher points. Extremely rare - one silver specimen auctioned by Tradart S. A. in 2014, hammering for 5,500 euros; the cataloguer was unable to locate any other specimens in any metal sold in the last two decades. Attractive and highly desirable.
Margolis had a few rather overt interests in his collecting of medallic art. One such theme was that of medals pertaining to man's earliest pursuits to conquer the heavens in the form of ballooning. The European exploits of the late 18th century are contained here across many different country categories. Also quite noticeable was his interest in the medallic art of Jewish engravers, such as Jakob Abraham and his son, Abraham Abramson, among numerous others. Across this selection of medals, these themes and topics will become obvious, adding further dimensions to the already intense focus with which Margolis pursued his collecting.
From the Richard Margolis Collection.

Estimate: $1000.00 - $2000.00