Ancient, British and World Coins and Banknotes

Germany, Jewish Colonization Association, 1924, a bronze medal by Ashuach, bust of Baron Maurice de Hirsch three-quarters right, rev. standing farm labourer with sickle greeting infant held by seated female, tablet below named (Abraham R. Tolcachir), 75mm (Kirschner –; cf. DW 24, 199). Extremely fine, rare (£90-120)

Baron Maurice de Hirsch (1831-96), German financier and philanthropist, made his fortune from the Oriental rail route from Europe to Constantinople, and forays in the sugar and copper industries. With a personal fortune estimated at $100 million, he offered the Russian government £10 million in 1891 for the education of Jews, an offer which was refused. Hirsch subsequently founded the Jewish Colonization Association to facilitate the mass emigration of Jews from Russia to North and South America, particularly Argentina and Brazil; the recipient of this medal is known to have been an emigré to Argentina. Sold with further biographical detail. Illustration reduced