Mayer Rothschild was a dealer in rare coins, whom Jamie and Claire Fraser consulted regarding several types of Roman coin.
Personal History[]
Mayer was born in 1744 in Frankfurt am Main in the Holy Roman Empire.
Outlander series[]
Voyager[]
While in Paris in 1766, Mayer is asked to consult with Jared Fraser's nephew, Jamie Fraser, about ancient Roman coins. Mayer is surprised by Fraser's request: he does not wish to purchase any coins, but to describe ones he had seen before in order to first identify the coins, then determine who may have purchased or sold such coins in the past. He refers to his family's record of past buyers, and, since the buyer in question is dead and has been for some years, he decides to break their usual policy of client confidentiality, and reveals that the Duke of Sandringham had bought the same coins of Jamie's description in 1745.
Just as Mayer is leaving, Claire asks him whether 'Mayer' is really his only name, for earlier he had taken issue with Jamie calling him "Mr. Mayer". He explains that the Jews of Frankfurt are not allowed the use of family names, though neighbors refer to his family by the red shield painted on the front of their house. Claire puts two and two together: this young Jewish man, and her knowledge of the future prominent banking family by the name of Rothschild, or "red shield" in German.
Personality[]
Avid and passionate about coins and currency, Mayer was otherwise awkward but courteous.
Physical Appearance[]
Tall and gangling, with a thin face and a "vigorous, if scanty, brown beard" with curly sidelocks. Claire noted his guileless blue eyes.[1] He wore an old-fashioned coat, unbuckled breeches, and cheaply made wooden clogs.
Name[]
- Mayer (alternatively spelled Meyer) was from the Middle High German word meier meaning "higher, superior".[2]
- Rothschild means "red shield, sign" from German rot "red" and German or Yiddish s(c)hild "sign, shield".[3]
Trivia[]
TV Series[]
Gallery[]
References[]
- ↑ Voyager, chapter 40.
- ↑ Behind the Name: Meyer. Accessed 15 August 2017.
- ↑ Behind the Name Surnames: Rothschild. Accessed 15 August 2017.