Friedland 1627 thaler Dav-3440
This specimen was lot 43047 in Stack's Bowers NYINC sale (New York, January 2026), where it sold for $20,400. The catalog description[1] noted, "Charming & Extremely Rare Portrait Taler of Albrecht von Wallenstein, BOHEMIA. Friedland. Taler, 1627. Jitschin (Jicin) Mint; mm: Rose. Albrecht von Wallenstein. NGC EF-45. Variety with date at left. Privy mark: sunface (mintmaster Georg Reick). Engraver: Hans Rieger, Breslau (Wroclaw). Obverse: Armored half-length bust three-quarters right with protruding collar; Reverse: Crowned eagle of the Duchy of Friedland with coat of arms of Wallenstein on chest. An iconic RARITY in the Bohemian series, struck under Albrecht von Wallenstein, Duke of Friedland and Sagan. Albrecht was a powerful Bohemian military leader during the Thirty Years' War (1618-48) who in 1626 was granted permission to establish a mint in the town of Jičín (modern-day Czech Republic) to produce coins in support of the military effort. All Albrecht issues of this era are popular and collectible, but these large Taler issues featuring a dramatic and imposing portrait are especially prized and elusive. The rose mintmark is additionally an EXTREMELY RARE variety for the type, with the vast majority of examples exhibiting a double-lily mintmark. The present piece is the sole straight-graded example at either NGC or PCGS, and quite attractive, with handsome, deeply toned surfaces and honest wear throughout." Wallenstein was born into the minor Protestant nobility of Bohemia but converted to Catholicism while attending university in Italy. Seeking glory, he pursued a military career and eventually became the commander of the imperial troops during the Thirty Years War. His successes against the Protestants aroused the suspicion of the emperor and he was dismissed in 1630. He retired to his duchy of Friedland in northern Bohemia. Imperial defeats at the hands of Gustavus Adolphus forced the emperor to recall him but distrust of his loyalty remained. He was assassinated by his officers with the emperor's connivance in 1634. He issued thalers 1626-33, all rare. After Wallenstein's death, the duchy subsided into insignificance and no more coins were issued. The very similar Dav-3441 has scrolls decorating the shield on the reverse.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: silver.
Catalog reference: Dav-3440; KM-13.
- 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.
- Davenport, John S., European Crowns, 1600-1700, Galesburg, IL, 1974.
- [1]Orsini, Matt, Kyle Ponterio and Jeremy Bostwick, January 2026 NYINC Showcase Auction, Ancient and World Coins, featuring the Kazmier Wysocki Collection, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers Galleries, Inc., 2025.
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