GERMANY. Frankfurt. Medal 1898 (Silver, 60 mm, 84.11 g, 12 h), on the 50th Anniversary of the Gemstone Dealer Moritz Nathan Oppenheim (1848-1933). By J. Kowarzik. WIR GRATULIEREN / z.15.SEPT. // M.N.OPPENHEIM / 1848-98 Wife and son congratulate Oppenheim sitting in his study. Rev. NATHAN•M• - OPPENHEIM // 1810 / 1891 Draped bust of Nathan Markus Oppenheim facing slightly to right; behind, city view of Frankfurt. Joseph/Fellner 2338. Of the highest rarity, mintage of only three pieces in matte-finish. Matt and beautifully toned. Extremely fine.



Moritz Nathan Oppenheim was a Frankfurt jeweler, businessman, and prominent Jewish philanthropist whose patronage focused especially on science, education, and the arts. Together with his wife Katharina (1862-1933), an accomplished pianist and a friend of Clara Schumann, he supported numerous cultural and academic institutions and endowed a chair of theoretical physics at the newly founded University of Frankfurt. In 1928, the city of Frankfurt honored Oppenheim for his civic and cultural contributions.

Following the Nazi seizure of power and the rapidly escalating persecution and disenfranchisement of German Jews, Moritz and Katharina Oppenheim tragically took their own lives in Frankfurt on 9 June 1933.