Veitel Heine Ephraim

Veitel Heine Ephraim regularly was a Prussian jeweler, financier, and manufacturer. He was closely connected with the Prussian court, and amassed great wealth as Prussian mint-master during the Seven Years’ War (1756–63).

Veitel Heine Ephraim regularly attended the Leipzig fairs from 1730, and supplied jewels to the Prussian court and silver to the mint, strengthening his position by furnishing loans to the crown prince. In 1745 he was officially appointed court jeweler to the Frederick II the Great of Prussia. In 1748 Ephraim was elected head of the Berlin Jewish community, and held the office until his death. During the Seven Years’ War (1756–63), Ephraim was appointed as Prussian mint-master, and under the order of Frederick II issued a series of debased coins to help finance the war. After the war, he was active in measures taken to improve the coinage. The wealth he amassed during the war Ephraim invested in manufacturing ventures. He was granted monopoly over fine gold and silver thread production and owned a Brussels lace factory, employing 200 workers.