Brunswick-Luneburg-Celle 1636-HS thaler Dav-5737
This specimen was lot 30213 in Stack's Bowers ANA sale (Chicago, August 2022), where it sold for $2,400. The catalog description[1] noted, "GERMANY. Brunswick-Luneburg: Luneburg (Celle). Taler, 1636-HS. Zellerfeld Mint. August "the Older" (as Bishop of Ratzenburg). PCGS MS-63. An EXTREMELY RARE example of the Ratzenburg-related coinage for the Prince-Bishop, this specimen is seemingly unlisted in both Davenport and KM, though the former does list a similar arms side issued upon his death. On the type here, the wildman faces left, rather than right, which is a departure of the other wildmen with August's series. Perhaps on the present lot, a death commemorative was also intended, with the direction of the wildman being the opposite in order to convey the passing of the Prince-Bishop. Welter cites a single example (Fiala-6114), further indicating the RARITY of this choice, attractively toned specimen. Not surprisingly, incorrectly listed on the holder as Dav-5737. From the Robert C. Knepper Collection. Includes ticket from Giessner Muenzhandling (Dieter Gorny)." August spent most of his career as Lutheran bishop of Ratzeburg and only became duke in 1633, three years before his death, which is likely commemorated here. No other coin of this reign featured a left facing wild man but Dav-5737 is the closest match (Dav-5738 having a nine line inscription instead of a wild man).
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: silver.
Catalog reference: cf. Dav-B5738 (for arms side), Dav-5737 (for wildman); cf. KM-A133; Welter-885.
- Cuhaj, George S., and Thomas Michael, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1601-1700, 6th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2014.
- Davenport, John S., German Church and City Talers, 1600-1700, Galesburg, IL, 1967.
- [1]Orsini, Matt, Kyle Ponterio and Jeremy Bostwick, The 2022 ANA Auction - Ancients & World Coins - Featuring The Salton Collection Part III, the Augustana Collection and the Robert C. Knepper Collection, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers LLC, 2022.
Link to:
- Ratzeburg 1635-HS thaler
- Ratzeburg 1636-HS thaler
- 1636-HS ⅛ thaler, death of August
- 1636-HS quarter thaler, death of August
- 1636-HS half thaler, death of August
- 1636-HS thaler, right facing wild man
- 1636-HS thaler, death of the duke
- 1636-HS thaler, three dukes
- 1637-HS thaler, bust obverse
- Coins and currency dated 1636