Anhalt (1508-10) groschen
This specimen was lot 2006 in Künker Auction 425 (Osnabrück, July 2025), where it sold for €1,300 (about US$1,841 including buyers' fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"DEUTSCHE MÜNZEN UND MEDAILLEN · ANHALT-ZERBST, GRAFSCHAFT Ernst, Rudolf und Wolfgang, 1508-1510. Groschen o. J., Bernburg. Blumenkreuz, in den Winkeln vier Wappen//Anhaltinisches Wappen. Von größter Seltenheit. Kl. Schrötlingsfehler am Rand, sehr schön. (Germany, principality of Anhalt, joint issue of Ernest, Rudolf and Wolfgang, 1508-1510, undated groschen, Bernburg mint. Obverse: floriate cross cantonned with four shields; reverse: Anhalt arms. Extremely rare, planchet defects on the edge, very fine.)"
The principality of Anhalt was partitioned in the Middle Ages but many of the lines lapsed over time. Anhalt-Bernburg was united with Anhalt-Dessau in 1468 then Anhalt-Dessau was united with Anhalt-Zerbst in 1561, leaving Joachim Ernst and Bernhard as sole rulers. Bernhard died without issue in 1570 and Joachim Ernst followed him in 1586. His seven sons ruled Anhalt jointly until 1603, when the five surviving brothers partitioned it once again.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 1.76 g, silver, this specimen 1,94 g.
Catalog reference: KM MB11, Mann 24; Thormann 523.
- Nicol, N. Douglas, Cuhaj, George S., and Thomas Michael, Standard Catalog of German Coins, 1501-Present, 3rd ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2011.
- [1]Künker, Fritz Rudolf, Horst-Rudiger Künker, Ulrich Künker and Andreas Kaiser, Katalog 425: Gold coins from the Medieval and Modern Times, from the Mohr family collection, e.g. | Silver coins, e.g. highlights of medallic art | German coins after 1871, Osnabrück: Fritz Rudolf Künker GmbH & Co., AG, 2025.
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