FRANCE. CITY OF STRASBOURG. <br>Silver Medal, 1678. City Guilds. <br>Paying tribute to the Guilds of Strasbourg.<br>The power of city guilds increased significantly during the later Renaissance and early modern period with the rise of Mercantilism. This medal successfully shows off the power and ambition of the Citys patriciate of merchants and manufacturers. Rembrands famous 1662 painting Syndics of the Drapers’ Guild is of the same era.<br>Obv.: VRBEM CHRISTE TVAM SERVA in exergue; city view, angel with Christogram above.<br>Rev.: ARGENTINA.TRIBVS.OVARVM.HIC.INSIGNIA.CERNIS.HOCFVNDATORI.DEDICAT.ÆRE.DEO in a circle around the City Arms, supported by two lions; all set within 21 shields of arms of the Citys guilds.<br><br><i>Extremely fine.</i><br><br>Reference: Engel/Lehr 544<br>Diameter: 49.5 mm.<br>Weight: 43.38 g.<br>Composition: Silver.
