Nomos 13

Germany, Brandenburg. Medal of 4 Ducats (Gold, 32.5mm, 14.02 g 12), an original cast medal on the death of the Electors Joachim II Hector (1535-1571) and Johann Georg (1571-1598) of Brandenburg’s councilor and ambassador, Andreas Czoch (1519-1581). By an artist in the circle of Hans Eichhorn (Franz Friedrich), Frankfurt-on-the-Oder (?), 1581. +ANDREAS+CZOCH+D+Æ+SV+6Z+ANN+1581 Facing bust of Czoch, turned slightly to the right, with a short beard, rich clothing with a small ruff, and an elaborate fur coat with a high collar. Rev. IVRAVIT.ET.NON.DECIPIET (=he swore not to deceive) Shield bearing the Czoch arms, topped with an elaborate, plumed helmet. Habich 2330 (this piece). Of the greatest rarity, apparently unique. With a superb portrait in the finest late German Renaissance style. Traces of a removed mount at the top, otherwise, extremely fine.

From the collection of Georg Baums, ex Künker 81, 13 March 2003, 4043, from the collection of Hermann Vogel, Hamburger 4 November 1924, 184, ex Merzbacher 13 April 1921, 919, and from the collections of Max von Wilmersdörffer, Hamburger 16 October 1905, 194 and of ‘a distinguished Hungarian art collector’, Hess 25 May 1891, 816.

Andreas Czoch was a jurist who studied at Leipzig and Wittenberg and then became a professor at the university in Frankfurt-on-the-Oder. He helped to draft the Peace of Passau (1555), which ended the first series of the wars of the Reformation.