Hohnstein 1588 1/4 thaler
This specimen was lot 3210 in Sincona sale 51 (Zürich, October 2018), where it sold for 1,000 CHF (about US$1,206 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"Hohnstein, Grafschaft, Ernst VII. 1580-1593. 1/4 Taler 1588, Ellrich. Ausbeute der Grube St. Andreas. Münzmeister Alex Sickl. Von grösster Seltenheit. Sehr schön. (Germany, county of Hohnstein, Ernest VII, 1580-93, quarter thaler of 1588, Ellrich mint, for the St. Andrew mine. Of the highest rarity, Very fine.)"
The county of Hohnstein was a minor state, neighbor of Stolberg, Eichsfeld and Schwarzburg. The local dynasty fell extinct in 1593. The state was ruled by Brunswick-Wolfenbuttel 1613-34 and Sayn-Wittgenstein 1634-1701. It was later partitioned between Hannover and Prussia.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: silver, this specimen 6.78 g.
Catalog reference: Schulten 191. Müseler 31/102. Slg. Vogelsang -.
- Cuhaj, George S., Thomas Michael and Douglas Nicol, Standard Catalog of German Coins, 1501-Present, 3rd Ed. Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2011.
- Craig, William D., Germanic Coinages: Charlemagne through Wilhelm II, Mountain View, CA: 1954.
- [1]Richter, Jürg, Sincona Auction 51: Gold and Silver Coins and Medals; Coins and Medals from Switzerland, Zürich: SINCONA AG, 2018.
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