Sale: Nomos 5, Lot: 20. Estimate CHF3000.  Closing Date: Monday, 24 October 2011.  Sold For CHF3500. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

Germany. Philipp Melanchthon. 1497-1560. Medal (Bronze, 46mm, 40.01 g 12), an original cast by Friedrich Hagenauer (fl. 1525-1546), Cologne, 1543. PHILIPPVS MELANTHON.A°.ÆTATIS SVÆ XLVII (leaf).* Bearded bust of Melanchthon to left, wearing flat cap and gown. Rev. PSAL.36. / SVDITVS ESTO / DEO ET ORA EVM. / ANNO. / M.D.XLIII. / * (= Psalm 36, under the shadow of Thy wings, O God. 1543) Habich 652. Kress 594 = NG 708. Trusted 83. A very fine and sharp original cast with an attractive dark brown patina. Holed for suspension, otherwise, extremely fine.

Ex Rauch, 17 September 2009, 2362.

Along with Martin Luther, Philip Melanchthon (a Greek translation of his German name, Schwartzerdt = black earth) was a towering figure of the Reformation. He had a brilliant intellect and a deep understanding both of theology and of human nature.