Two Medals - Emperor Joseph II's "Edict of Tolerance", 1782

Two Medals - Emperor Joseph II's "Edict of Tolerance", 1782
Two medals struck to commemorate the "Edict of Tolerance" issued by Emperor Joseph II, which granted rights to the Jews of Austria and to non-Catholic Christian sects (Protestants and Orthodox Christians). [Holland], 1782.
1. Silver medal. Signed: "I.G. Holtzhey" (Johann Georg Holtzhey). Obverse: portrait of Emperor Joseph II surrounded by a legend. Reverse: figure kneeling above an altar showing the Tablets of the Law. Surmounted by the legend "Amicissima Veritas". Beneath it is the year in Roman numerals, "MDCCLXXXII" [1782].
Diameter: 45 mm.
2. Medal; signed: "Reich". Obverse: relief portrait of Emperor Joseph II, his name and the legend "Tolerantia Imperantis" [Tolerance Rules]. Reverse: a rabbi, a Catholic bishop and a Protestant priest praying. Surmounted by an eagle (the symbol of the empire) carrying a sign - "In Deo".
Diameter: 44 mm. Slight defects.
Provenance: collection of Bruno Kirschner.