Friedland 1631 3 kreuzer KM-50
The first specimen was lot 1966 in Sincona sale 90 (Zürich, May 2024), where it sold for 550 CHF (about US$727 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"TSCHECHIEN, Böhmen, Albrecht von Wallenstein, 1623-1634. 3 Kreuzer (Groschen) 1631, Sagan. Münzmeister Hans Heinrich Jacob, zusammen mit Hans Ziesler von Molsheim, seit September 1629 Pächter der Münzstätte (Zainhaken). Stempelschneider vermutlich Hans Rieger, Breslau. Vorzüglich. (Bohemia, duchy of Friedland, Albrecht von Wallenstein, 1623-1634, three kreuzer or groschen of 1631, Sagan mint. Extremely fine.)"
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. This groschen was struck 1630-31. Numerous varieties exist. After Wallenstein's death, the duchy subsided into insignificance and no more coins were issued.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: silver, this specimen 1.66 g.
Catalog reference: KM 50, Poley 164.
- 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]Richter, Jürg, SINCONA Auction 90, Münzen und Medaillen der Welt, Zürich: SINCONA AG, 2024.
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