Jacob Bassevi

Jacob Batsheba Bassevi von Treuenberg (born Schmieles; 1570, in Verona – 2 May 1634, in Mladá Boleslav, Bohemia) was a Bohemian Court Jew and financier.

Early in his life he specialized in trading with silver which was the main component of the coins and currencies at his time.

Bassevi, in recognition of his services, was raised to the nobility by Ferdinand, receiving the title von Treuenberg, and a coat of arms consisting of a two yellow Bohemian (two tailed) lions and 3 eight-pointed red stars in a bend argent (white diagonal band) on a field of black (Graetz appears to be mistaken about the "blue lion and eight stars", see references).

His property in any form to be free from taxes, imposts, and duties; he is allowed to reside in the imperial quarters; and he is responsible to no tribunal, except that of the marshal of the court".

He always exerted his influence on behalf of the Jews of the empire and of Italy; and it was due to his efforts, combined with those of other Jewish capitalists, that the Hebrew quarter in Prague was protected by a military guard against the attacks of the soldiery after the decisive Battle of White Mountain, Bohemia, in 1620.