Lot 872
Transylvania. Silver Taler, 1660 (Nagybanya). Dav-4756; Resch-157. George Rakoczi II. Bust with cap and holding sword right. Reverse: Crowned arms. Minor double striking on reverse. Boldly struck with lovely old toning in shades of lilac and gray. An excellent piece, far finer than most seen. NGC graded AU-58.
Transylvania was geographically situated where it was a buffer state between the Ottoman Turks and the Habsburgs. By cleverly playing off the two against each other, Transylvanian rulers assured their nation's independence for two centuries. Ironically, after the Battle of Vienna in 1683, where the Ottoman Turks were soundly defeated, Transylvania gradually lost its independence to the dominant Habsburgs. So, the destruction of the Moslems, widely celebrated in Christian Europe, spelled the doom of Christian Transylania.
Estimated Value $1,250 - 1,500.
Ex Irving Goodman Collection.
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| Realized $5,060 |
