The Rothschild family history goes back to the 16th century but really started in Frankfurt on the Main in the middle of the 18th century. Born in 1744, Mayer Amschel Rothschild was very keen on numismatics from an early age. After spending a few years as a clerk in the Oppenheim bank in Hanover, he returned to Frankfurt and set up his own company. As well as money changing and trading coins and medals, he offered more and more services like bond transactions, stock market operations and investment advice. The business grew rapidly.
The house with the red shield sign :
The Rothschild name comes from the German "Das Rote Schilde" or red shield. As this shield decorated the facade of Mayer Amschel's house in Frankfurt, he naturally adopted the name. |