AUSTRIA. Holy Roman Empire. Maria Theresia, Empress, 1740-1780. Medal 1745 (Bronzed Tin, 64 mm, 98.78 g, 12 h), on the successful protest against the expulsion of the Jews from Bohemia, struck at the behest of the Jewish communities of Amsterdam, Rotterdam, and Den Haag. By N. van Swinderen. EXILIO.MINATO / NE.SVSPICETVR.REGINA. / XIII.TEBETH. - XVIII.DECEMB. / VERSVS.SERVOS.SVOS.RES. / H.VIVSCEMODI / j.Reg.22 VS.15. Warrior and high priest approach the enthroned Maria Theresa, seated between Caritas with two children and Justitia with sword; in background, view of the city of Prague. Rev. DECRETO - ABOLETO / XIII.VVAR. - XV.MAYI. / ISTI.SVNT.DIES.QVOS.NVLLA.VMO.VAM / DELEBIT.OBLIVIO.ER PER.SINGVLAS / GENERATIONES.CVNCTÆ•IN.TOTO.ORBE / PROVINCIÆ.CELEBRABVNT• / Esther.9 VS.28. Interior view of the Temple in Jerusalem sorrounded by five coats of arms. Montenuovo -. Polak 9. Probszt-Ohstorff 45. Schaumünzen XLV. van Loon 205. Very rare. Tiny marks, otherwise, nearly extremely fine.



In 1744, during the First Silesian War, Maria Theresa ordered the expulsion of Prague’s Jewish population, then the largest Jewish community in the Habsburg Monarchy, on accusations of collaboration with the Prussians.

The decree prompted an unusually broad international campaign: Jewish communities across Europe secured support from England, the Dutch Republic, Denmark, Hamburg, Electoral Mainz, Saxony, Brunswick, Poland, the Ottoman Empire, and even the Papacy, while the Bohemian and Moravian Estates also intervened. Under mounting pressure, Maria Theresa relented and on 15 May 1745, granted the Jews the right to remain in Bohemia and Moravia, albeit subject to an annual tax. The present medal commemorates this rare and successful act of coordinated Jewish political advocacy against the Habsburg expulsion policy.