Lot 606
German States -- Friedberg. Taler, 1804. Dav-655; Th.-148; KM-75. Burgrave Johann Maria Rudolph, Count of Waldbott-Bassenheim, 1777-1805. Crowned, double-headed eagle with shields. Reverse: Knight on horseback killing dragon, castle in background. Below dragon "G.B." for George Bunsen, "F" and "G.H." for George Hille in Frankfurt. Lovely blue and violet iridescent toning. NGC graded MS-65.
Friedberg would have exerted more influence than it did if the city and its castle would have been less at odds with each other. The city and the castle were politically independent of each other, and had such a bitter rivalry that the citizens of the town once ransacked the castle! Considering that the castle was built to protect the citizens, this is an amazing development. In 1806 the city passed to Hessen Darmstadt, so the piece offered here is the last Friedberg Taler.
Estimated Value $2,000 - 2,500.
Ex Irving Goodman Collection.
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| Realized $4,485 |
