GERMANY. Preußen. Wilhelm II, 1888-1918. Medal 1898 (Silver, 34 mm, 18.30 g, 1 h), on the Inauguration of the Church of the Redeemer in Jerusalem. WILHELM II DEUT-SCHER KAISER Tropical uniformed bust of Wilhelm II to left. Rev. EINWEIHUNG DER - ERLÖSERKIRCHE / IN / JERUSALEM / 31. OCTBR. 1898 View of the Protestant Church of the Redeemer in Jerusalem. Marienburg 7130. Opitz 3659. Whiting 818. Beautifully toned. Minor marks, otherwise, good extremely fine.




In the heart of Jerusalem’s Old City stands the Church of the Redeemer - a striking symbol of 19th-century European presence in the Holy Land. It was officially dedicated on 31 October 1898, Reformation Day, during Kaiser Wilhelm II’s state visit to Palestine. The emperor personally took part in the inauguration ceremony and handed the church keys to Friedrich Wilhelm Barkhausen, then president of the Evangelical Supreme Church Council of the Kingdom of Prussia. With this act, Wilhelm II became the first modern Western head of state to set foot in Jerusalem.