Brunswick-Calenberg (15)76 1/2 thaler
This specimen was lot 73544 in Stack's Bowers Collector's Choice sale (Costa Mesa, CA, November 2023), where it sold for $576. The catalog description[1] noted, "GERMANY. Brunswick-Luneburg: Calenberg. 1/2 Taler (12 Groschen), (15)76. Münden Mint. Erich "the Younger". PCGS Genuine--Tooled, VF Details. Note that the holder mistakenly lists the 24 groschen reference. Likely a transitional issue using the new design layout (date at the six o'clock position for example) for Maximilian's last partial year of reign (he died in October 1576) and adopted by Rudolf II starting with his 1577 issues. Despite the surface damage and tooling in the lettering, this coin is a very rare issue with no examples noted having the Rudolf-style design with Maximilian II legends. An opportunity for the discerning connoisseur. From the Robert C. Knepper Collection." This type was struck 1570 and 1573-76 and is listed as scarce. In 1495, a part of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel was sliced off to form Brunswick-Calenberg for Erich "the Elder". It was passed down to Erich "the Younger" in 1540 but, upon his death without issue in 1584, returned to Brunswick-Wolfenbuttel.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 14 g, silver, 33 mm diameter.
Catalog reference: KM-MB106; cf. Welter-456 for Maximilian II legends, cf. Welter-457 for general design.
- Craig, William D., Germanic Coinages: Charlemagne through Wilhelm II, Mountain View, CA: 1954.
- Nicol, N. Douglas, Cuhaj, George S., and Thomas Michael, Standard Catalog of German Coins, 1501-Present, 3rd ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2011.
- [1]Orsini, Matt, Kyle Ponterio and Jeremy Bostwick, November 2023 World Collectors Choice Online Auction - Ancient & World Coins, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers Galleries, Inc., 2023.
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