Judaica / Zionism - Germany, Antisemitic Medal “The Useless Baptism of the Jew”, 18th Century

Judaica / Zionism - Germany, Antisemitic Medal “The Useless Baptism of the Jew”, 18th Century An antisemitic German medal from the 18th century, depicting the futility of Jewish conversion to Christianity as viewed by contemporary Christian society. Obverse: Shows a scene of a Jewish man being baptized, kneeling as a priest pours water over his head while holding a prayer book, and another man assists. The surrounding inscription reads: “SO BLEIBT ER AM BESTÄNDIGSTEN” - “Thus he remains the most constant.” The message is sarcastic, implying that even after baptism, a Jew “remains a Jew.” Reverse: Features a lengthy German inscription accusing Jews of escaping punishment through bribery, reinforcing antisemitic stereotypes of greed and corruption. The medal is a stark representation of European antisemitism in the 18th century, using satire and humiliation to deny the legitimacy of Jewish integration, even through conversion. Material: White metal Weight: 34.699 g Diameter: 40 mm