Luther 500 Art Medal

The International Association of Reformation Coins and Medals (IARCM), in its desire to promote the history and teachings of Martin Luther and the Protestant Reformation internationally, has announced that a partnership with renowned German medallist Victor Huster has resulted in the first in a series of art-medals commemorating the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation when Martin Luther posted his 95 Theses on the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg on 31 October 1517.

* The first design in the series portrays Martin Luther as a young monk. The portrait is framed by the Latin translation of Isaiah 40:8: "The grass withereth and the flower fadeth, but the Word of our God endureth forever." Hidden in the Latin words is a chronogram (highlighted letters in an inscription that "spell out" a year in Roman numerals) for the year 2017 as well as the name "Martin Luther."

* The reverse side depicts the Reformer as "the Swan of Wittenberg" breaking Rome's system of selling forgiveness for gold and silver in order to finance St Peter's Basilica. The posted 95 Theses is included in the background.

"The 500th jubilee of the Reformation is a rare opportunity to present to a new generation the enduring legacy of Martin Luther through the medium of sculpted metal. I am pleased to re-interpret Luther and the events of is life in a new, fresh and different way," says Victor Huster, speaking from his art-medal studio in Baden-Baden, Germany.

Each hand-crafted, high-relief medal is hand-numbered in a limited edition in two sizes (39mm and 70mm) and two medals (copper and silver). Additional designs in this series are scheduled to be produced at regular intervals for the next six years.