Baden 1519 1/3 thaler
This specimen was lot 2601 in Sincona sale 26 (Zürich, October 2015), where it sold for 9,000 CHF (about US$11,117 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"Christoph I. 1475-1527 1/3 Taler (Dicken) 1519. Bärtige Büste nach links mit Klappmütze und Mantel. Rv. Quadriertes Wappen von Baden-Sponheim, links eingebogen, darüber die Jahreszahl. Sehr selten. Fast vorzüglich-vorzüglich. Schön ausgeprägtes Exemplar. (margraviate of Baden, Christoph I, 1475-1527, one third thaler or dicken of 1519. Obverse: bearded bust with fur cap and mantle; reverse: quartered arms of Baden-Sponheim, notched on left side, date above. Very rare, extremely fine or better, an outstanding example)"
In the sixteenth century, the margrave of Baden was a petty ruler; most of what is now Baden was then ruled by the Austrians. Most of the thalers of Baden prior to the Napoleonic period are scarce. The Margrave of Baden became a firm ally of Napoleon and was rewarded with substantial slices of territory during the mediations of 1803-05 which divided up all the petty states. The margrave was then promoted to grand duke.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: silver, this specimen 9.58 g.
Catalog reference: Wielandt 114. Schulten 83.
- Nicol, N. Douglas, Cuhaj, George S., and Thomas Michael, Standard Catalog of German Coins, 1501-Present, 3rd ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2011.
- [1]Richter, Jürg, Ruedi Kunzmann and Arne Kirsch, Numismatic Coins & Medals, Auction 26, Zürich: SINCONA AG, 2015.
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