Brunswick-Wolfenbuttel 1577 1/2 thaler
This specimen was lot 73636 in Stack's Bowers Collector's Choice sale (Costa Mesa, CA, November 2023), where it sold for $264. The catalog description[1] noted, "GERMANY. Brunswick-Luneburg: Wolfenbuttel. 1/2 "Light" Taler, 1577. Goslar Mint. Julius. PCGS Genuine--Tooled, EF Details. This coin's surfaces vary from dove gray to charcoal and betray harsh storage conditions in its past life, perhaps underground, with light but pervasive surface pitting. The design elements and legends are intact however, and this remains an example of a popular type ready to take its place in a new collection. rom the Robert C. Knepper Collection. Includes ticket from Kuenker." This half "light" thaler (referring to the lamp in the wild man's hand and not the weight) was struck 1570-82 and is scarce.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: silver.
Catalog reference: KM-MB136; Welter-585.
- 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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