Rare Russian Or Polish 84 Silver Kos Shmirot Kiddush Cup Beaker, Ca 1850, Judaica.

Profusely adorned with engraved lions, floral and foliage ornaments and Hebrew inscription “Ze HaKos MeShmirot” (this cup was made from blessed coins – see below).
The court of the Zaddik (the Hasidic leader) was financially maintained by money contributed by his Hasidim (the followers of a specific sect).
The taxes, known as ma’amad (stand), were usually collected twice a year by a special collector appointed to the post for life.
He traveled around the cities and small towns with a list of names, which was updated consecutively.
The list served two purposes: first to track the amount of money collected in a certain place and time, while the second ensured that the Zaddik would bless the Hasid and his family.
In some courts, after the blessing, the Zaddik also offered a blessed coin, which was given as a reward to a particular Hasid or congregation at the next visit of the collector.
The coin was sold in an auction, and the money was contributed for a special celebration conducted on the festive collection day that was considered a holiday.
The blessed coin was regarded as a charm (Shmirah).
Thus, sometimes, when a large number of coins were collected, it was customary to melt them down and commission a ritual object for communal or private use.
The most common utensil made of melted coins was a Kiddush cup like this one.
Marked with Russian or Polish silver marks (84 standard) and illegible city and maker’s mark.

$4,200