Lot 628
German States -- Mansfeld. Taler, 1774. Dav-2438; J-2; KM-151. Henry, Prince of Fondi. Crowned and mantled arms. Reverse: mounted St George spearing dragon. Adjustment marks on edge but stuck on a broad flan, with crisp details on the horse and dragon especially. Deeply toned in shades of gray and mauve. A beautiful example of this coinage. NGC graded MS-64.
The success of Stephen of Schlick's large silver joachimsthaler prompted a great many of the German princes and cities to follow suit and coin their own large silver talers. Among the first were the counts of Mansfeld, who began issuing in 1521. Their mines were productive, not as spectacularly as those of the Joachimsthal owned by the Schlicks, but far longer lived, and ultimately one of the better producing locations in Germany. Their coinage was distinctive, beautifully styled of fine engraving, but the issues were repetitive as nearly all the talers bear a coat of arms and the motif of St George and the dragon. One- and two-taler denominations predominated, with an occasional three or four talers appearing now and again, plus a trade ducat in gold. All coinage came to an end with the extinction of the line in 1780, just six years after this coin was minted.
Estimated Value $700 - 800.
Ex Irving Goodman Collection.
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| Realized $2,220 |
