Brunswick-Wolfenbuttel 1653-HS 1/2 thaler
This specimen was lot 73478 in Stack's Bowers Collector's Choice sale (Costa Mesa, CA, November 2023), where it sold for $192. The catalog description[1] noted, "GERMANY. Brunswick-Luneburg: Brunswick. 1/2 Taler, 1653-HS. Zellerfeld Mint. August "the Younger". PCGS VF-30. A charming example of the type with the Wild Man looking askance at his bare tree. Generally dove-gray surfaces with slightly darker areas leaning toward sable. An attractive coin with just honest moderate wear and no issues. From the Robert C. Knepper Collection." This specimen seems to be a product of the Zellerfeld mint which was operated by mintmaster Henning Schluter. This type was struck 1636-39 and 1653-56 and is rather scarce. Numerous "wild man" thalers exist from this state but half thalers much less so.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: silver.
Catalog reference: KM-391; Welter-831.
- Craig, William D., Germanic Coinages: Charlemagne through Wilhelm II, Mountain View, CA: 1954.
- Cuhaj, George S., and Thomas Michael, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1601-1700, 6th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2014.
- [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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