Basel Medals and Medallists

The fact that the Basel citizenry had taken over the Episcopal mint in 1373 and received its own right of coinage in 1512 meant that the local conditions for producing medals were ideal.

Besides striking medals for commemorative purposes and as representative or diplomatic gifts, numerous prize medals were produced as awards for achievements at university and other educational institutions. Religious motifs to celebrate such things as christenings, godparenthood or marriage jubilees also became very popular. The predominantly private medals on Basel grandees constitute a group of their own.

Local metal artists of renown include, among others, the medallist Urs Graf (around 1485–1528), the Baroque goldsmith and medallist Friedrich Fecher (around 1588–1660) and Hans Frei (1868 –1948).