Saint Barbara, the daughter of a wealthy aristocrat, wastortured and executed after her father discovered she had converted toChristianity. Legend has it that after her father executed her, he was struckdown by lightning in divine retribution. Because of this, she soon was regardedas the patron saint in time of danger from thunderstorms, fires and suddendeath. She became the patron saint of artillerymen from early on in thedevelopment of artillery pieces as early cannons were unreliable, and at timeswould explode wounding and killing their crews. Saint Barbara was invoked bythese early cannoneers in the hope she would protect them from this fate.

This medal is 2 inches long and weighs 25 grams ofbronze. It is an original medal from my late mother’s vast estate collection ofCatholic Medals (Bertha; the founder of Church-Woman Antiques).

This medals dating can be confirmed on pages 2& 3 of the book AN INTRODUCTION TO RELIGIOUS MEDALS, by Bob Forrest, andpublished by NUMISMATICA INTERNATIONAL in 2004.

In addition this book has chapters (outlined in the tableof contents), describing each of the categories of medals, their possible placeof pilgrimage (acquisition), and origin of the mint where they were made. Werecommend that anyone serious about collecting medals from this period, acquirea copy of this book.

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