1592 Saxony Albertine Germany Three Brother Thaler Dresden Silver Toned

Description: IssuerElectorate of Saxony (Albertinian Line) (German States) Prince electorChristian II (1591-1611) John George I (Hans Georg I) (1591-1656) Augustus (August) (1591-1615) TypeStandard circulation coin Years1592-1601 Value1 Thaler CurrencyThaler (1493-1805) CompositionSilver (.875) Weight29 g Diameter41 mm ShapeRound OrientationVariable alignment ↺ DemonetizedYes NumberN#40204Help ReferencesMB# 314, Dav GT I# 9820 Obverse The three brothers, Christian II, Johann-Georg and August facing; date above divided by head of central character, legend divided by an imperial orb. Script: Latin Lettering: CHRISTIAN·IOHAN:GEORG·ET·AVGVSTVS + 15 99 Engraver: Hans Biener Reverse Extended 3x4 coat of arms, above, a crowned ornate. facing helmet, two helmet on sides. Script: Latin Lettering: FRAT:ET·DV CES·SAXON: Edge Plain Mint Dresden, Germany Comments Reference Davenport 9820 This type is a "Reichtaler" (empire thaler), a standard silver coin of the Holy Roman Empire, established in 1566 by the Leipzig Convention. It was governed as a coin containing 1 / 9 of a Cologne mark or 25.98 grams of fine silver. This type is also one of the best-known "thalers" in numismatics. On the death of their father Christian I in 1591, the male heirs, including Christian the eldest of the 3 brothers, were only eight years old; from then on, their distant cousin Duke Frederick William of Saxony-Altenburg was appointed regent and ruled on their behalf: Christian, John George and Augustus until his death in 1602. Christian then took over the electorate with the help of his two brothers, under the name of Christian II. Exceeding 90% silver fineness in coins was not uncommon in the 16th century this 1592 Thaler of Saxony - Albertine Line was a prime example and there were several reasons for this: 1.Demonstrating wealth and power: Elector Christian I of Saxony, like other European rulers, wanted to showcase his wealth and power through the quality of his coins. Higher silver content was a symbol of prosperity and prestige. 2.Building trust: By using high-quality silver, the Dresden Mint aimed to establish trust with merchants and traders. Coins with high silver content were less likely to be debased or counterfeit, ensuring their value and acceptability. 3.Facilitating international trade: Coins with high silver fineness were more easily accepted in international trade, as they were seen as a reliable store of value. This helped facilitate commerce between Saxony and other European regions. 4.Competition with other mints: The Dresden Mint competed with other European mints, like the Prague Mint, to produce the finest coins. Exceeding 90% silver fineness was a way to outdo competitors and attract more business. 5.Technological capabilities: The Dresden Mint had access to advanced refining techniques, allowing them to produce high-quality silver with minimal impurities. Showcasing this capability through high silver content coins demonstrated their expertise. 6.Coin longevity: Higher silver content coins were more resistant to wear and tear, ensuring they remained in circulation longer and maintained their value. Keep in mind that exceeding 90% silver fineness was not always the case, and coinage standards varied across Europe. However, for the Dresden Mint in 1592, it was a way to demonstrate their excellence and build trust in their currency.

Price: 650 USD

Location: Floral Park, New York

End Time: 2024-10-02T23:04:05.000Z

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