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LUTHER AND THE REFORMATION

By Theresa Lund

Martin Luther has been identified as the third (among the top 100 people) most important person of the millennium.

Luther was born November 10, 1483 in Eisleben, Germany and died in that same city on February 18, 1546. His life and work have greatly influenced the course of world history. His nailing of ninety-five theses to the door of the castle church in 1517 is rated third among the top 100 events. That event, setting "The Reformation" in motion, was surpassed only by Gutenberg's invention of the printing press in 1455 (First) and the discovery of America by Columbus (Second).

Since the time of Luther, many commemorative coins and medallions have been issued to mark such events as his birth, the beginning of the Reformation and his death. Within one hundred years of his death, at least eight German political divisions had struck coins in observation of the contributions of this leader.

To date, an estimated 2000 different pieces have recognized Martin Luther, his life's events, associations and the Reformation. No other religious personage in history as been so recognized.

The author has but a few Luther/Reformation items in her Lutheran Heritage Collection.

In 1867, a composition medal was issued in Milwaukee, WI. To recognize the 350th Anniversary of the Reformation. This medal was probably designed by Friedrick Lockner.