Topic: Vintage Glass Tumbler with embedded medal

[oldglassman]

HI ,
            Bat, have a look at reply No 2 above , the link provided explains the medallion in great detail , it looks like the 1 in the glass is a 1/2 size replica

cheers ,

Peter

[bat20]

Aah...thanks Peter I could have been going for a couple of days!!and apologies to misha!!

[Cpackjr]

Hello all,
the medal is positively identified. I'm sure it's a reproduction of a 1690 medal. Here is a short description:

This medal, which dates from 1690, shows the St Anna silver ore mine in Freiberg, Saxony. It provides an extremely detailed and accurate picture of the mining industry and the state of mining technology at the end of the 17th century. An aqueduct spanning the valley forms the centerpiece of the design. The medal was minted to mark the construction of the aqueduct, which vastly improved the sup-ply of water to the St Anna mine. A special medal was minted to mark this occasion. However, the aqueduct, which was later known as the "Altväterbrücke", had not even been completed yet in 1690, as you can see if you look closely at the coin. On the left-hand side, the water channel is still being supported by a wooden framework. The stone pillars were not finished until 1715. Despite this, the inscription, suspended above the land-scape in an arc, celebrates this technological achievement: "WAS MENSCHEN=HAND DURCH GOTT THUN KANN, DAS SIEHT MAN HIER MIT WUNDER AN." (Behold with wonder what God can achieve through human hand.

What I hope to find is the age of the whole pice and maybe why it was even produced, a very well made reproduction medal in a heavy tumbler that looks vintage. I've been unable to find any info  other than what the medal is for..

Thanks
Charles

[KevinH]

I find it interesting that the medal (or medallion) is set in the glass with the reverse facing outwards! The obverse, bearing the detailed description around the outer edge of the front face, is barely legible through the inside of the vessel.

Or were these things made in pairs, one with the obverse in clear view and one with the reverse showing clearly? Good marketing ploy?