GERMANY. Breisach, Stadt. Medal 1638 (Silver, 51 mm, 55.03 g, 12 h), on the capture of the city by Bernard of Saxe-Weimar (1604-1639). Dies by J. Blum (circa 1599-after 1689), Dresden. Cuirassed half-length bust of Bernard of Saxe-Weimar facing three-quarters to left, holding baton in his left hand; around, Magni Ducis Bernhardi Saxon: Weim: Effigies; all within richly decorated oval medallion; below, signature J. - Blum; in outer rim, HEROIS HUIUS NOMINA IN CUNCTA CLARENT SECULA:. Rev. BRISACH / FORTIS, SEDFORTI / OR DEUS FVIT ET WEI / MARIUS. 1.6.38. View of Breisach from the West with the Rhine and redoubts in front. Baums 4516. Berstett 96. Jungk 2. Merseburg 3860. Beautifully toned and unusually well preserved, with faint traces of gilding. A few light marks and with minor edge faults, otherwise, good extremely fine.

Bernard of Saxe-Weimar was a typical condottiere of the Thirty Years' War. Serving first under Swedish and later under French command, he captured the city of Breisach, a key fortress in the Habsburg defense line on the Rhine, in a fierce eight-month siege from May to December 1638. The death toll was immense: only 400 of the 4,000 defenders and just 150 of the 4,000 inhabitants survived, and it is reported that Bernard ordered his army to guard the cemeteries to stop the rampant cannibalism amongst the survivors. All in all, an estimated 24,000 people perished in the siege, rendering it one of the deadliest clashes of the war. However, Bernard could not enjoy his victory for long, for he died himself under suspicious circumstances half a year later, on 18 July 1639, aged just thirty-five.