Commemorative Medal for Cathedral de St Bombaut de Malines

Recto: Front view of the cathedral with emphasis on the tower. Encircled by text describing major events in the cathedral's history. Artists' names at bottom. Verso: Interior of the cathedral.Jacques (1815–1899) was the oldest of three brothers who were to become famous as medalists. Born in the Rhineland of Hungarian immigrants, he was apprenticed at the age of 13 to his uncle L. Baruch, a fine engraver in his own right. The two signed some earlier medals jointly. At the age of 30 Wiener was the first to conceive the idea of engraving in precise detail the exterior and interior of a monument on the obverse and reverse of a medal. He engraved with great delicacy ten medals of famous Belgian churches. This he followed with a series of 41 medals, issued between 1850 and 1865, illustrating the most famous European buildings. He also engraved the first Belgian stamps, and for many years was head of the government plant issuing these stamps. Among the hundreds of medals of this master, there are several of Jewish interest, e.g., the 1841 Opening of the Jewish Home for the Aged in The Hague and the 1861 Opening of the Synagogue at Cologne. (Source: Jewish Virtual Library)One of the three Wiener brothers, a family of medalists. Leopold (1823–1891) studied engraving with his older brother Jacques and became a pupil of David d'Angers in Paris. In 1847 he returned to Belgium and started engraving a series of large historical medals which commemorated contemporary events and became very popular. In 1864 he was appointed first engraver to the Belgian mint, holding the post until his death. He was responsible for all the currency of Leopold II – some 150 pieces. At the same time he continued striking medals. He also had a considerable reputation as a sculptor; several of his monumental works still adorn public places in Belgium. One medal of special Jewish interest is his 1859 portrait study of Henri Loeb, chief rabbi of Belgium. (Source: Jewish Virtual Library)Digital imag