1550 REFORMATION. Important Satirical Medal Comparing Priests & the Pope to Fools & the Devil!

An important pro-Reformation piece of tangible theology distributed throughout Germany, Switzerland, Holland, and Spain during the 16th century. Measuring 1.5 inches in diameter appx, likely issued in Germany or Holland, c.1550.  One on side is the head of the pope with the hidden head of the devil; on the reverese is the head of a cardinal with the hidden head of a court jester or fool. Surrounded by a satirical latin saying essentially arguing that foolish children become priests and the chief priest, the Pope, is himself the Devil.  See a simillar example in the Weiss collection, British Museum, etc.,  With the Protestant Reformation beginning in 1517 when Martin Luther nailed his Ninety-Five Theses to the door of the All Saints' Church in Wittenberg, Germany, came a propoganda war between the Catholic church and the followers of Luther; it included satirical woodcuts, pamphlets, paintings, plays, and coins.  The medal shown here is one of several issued during this period to suppor