Eleven "G?rlitz Shekels".
Obverse: manna jar and the legend "Shekel of Israel" [Hebrew]. Reverse: a branch (blossoming Aaron's rod) surrounded by the legend "Holy Jerusalem" [Hebrew, slightly faulty].
Diameter: ca. 30 mm (one of the coins has a diameter of 35 mm). Condition varies. One coin has a suspension loop and two are pierced.
The first "G?rlitz Shekels" were issued in the 15th century, when it was still unknown what the "Shekel" coins of the Roman period looked like. It is believed that George Emmerich, mayor of the city of G?rlitz in Prussia, was the first to "invent" these coins when he visited the Holy Land on a pilgrimage in 1465. Returning to Prussia, he brought with him an ancient Shekel coin, saying this was one of the thirty Shekalim which Judas Iscariot was given by the Romans for betraying "that man" (Jesus). From that year on, such coins were minted with minor changes throughout Europe and they became popular amongst Jews and Christians alike. The coins were used for various purposes: they served as memorial coins and amulets; amongst the European Jews the coins were used as part of the "Machatzit HaShekel" tradition, or for charity or donating to the poor during the Holiday of Purim; some used them for the "Pidyon HaBen" ceremony.
Provenance: collection of Bruno Kirschner.