Lot 586
German States -- Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel. Wildman Wildman Taler, 1669-HS. Dav-6379; KM-502. Rudolph August, 1666-1685. Helmeted arms. Reverse: Wildman with tree on his left. Toned steel gray with lilac hues, nicely centered and well struck for issue. NGC graded AU-53.
The source of the Wildman theme seems to be a mythological character of the Harz Mountains during the Middle Ages. Sir Walter Scott, in his Antiquary of 1816, recalls the account of a charcoal burner of the area who encountered this "tutelar demon" of the Harz -- a wild man huge of stature, rainbow-haloed, his head and waist wreathed with oak leaves -- exactly as portrayed on the present coin. The reclusive giant haunted the crags of the mountains carrying a pine tree torn up by the roots. This is but one story in a repertoire of fabulous and demonic creatures of the German mountains that have accumulated over the centuries.
Estimated Value $300 - 400.
Ex Irving Goodman Collection.
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| Realized $529 |
