Leuchtenberg (15)52 groschen
This specimen was lot 611 in Künker Auction 424 (Osnabrück, July 2025), where it sold for €180 (about US$255 including buyers' fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"DEUTSCHE MÜNZEN UND MEDAILLEN · LEUCHTENBERG, LANDGRAFSCHAFT Georg III., 1531-1555. Groschen 1552, Erlangen. Münzmeister Anthonius Koburger. Geharnischtes Brustbild r., mit der Rechten die Fahne von Leuchtenberg schulternd, die Linke am Schwertgriff, oben die geteilte Jahreszahl 15 - 52//Gekrönter Doppeladler auf dreiarmigem Kreuz, auf der Brust Reichsapfel, darin Wertzahl 3. RR Korrosionsspuren, schön-sehr schön. (Germany, landgraviate of Leuchtenberg, George III, 1531-55, groschen of 1552, Erlangen mint. Obverse: armored bust right with flag and left hand on sword hilt dividing the date; reverse: crowned double headed eagle supporting a three armed cross and an orb with the value. Very rare, spots of corrosion, fine to very fine.)"
The landgrave of Leuchtenberg was a considerable power in the Upper Palatinate in the Middle Ages but never succeeded in becoming a direct suffragan of the emperor. When the dynasty lapsed in 1646, the landgraviate was annexed to Bavaria, where it remains to this day. This rare coin, the only issue of this denomination from this state, appears to have a two digit date, despite the description of the auctioneer.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 2.02-2.52 g, silver, 21 mm diameter; this specimen 2,42 g.
Catalog reference: KM-MB22, Friedl 129 a/e.
- Nicol, N. Douglas, Cuhaj, George S., and Thomas Michael, Standard Catalog of German Coins, 1501-Present, 3rd ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2011.
- [1]Künker, Fritz Rudolf, Horst-Rudiger Künker, Ulrich Künker and Andreas Kaiser, Katalog 424: Münster, Osnabrück, and the Peace of Westphalia | The Fuggers, Leuchtenberg, and Passau | The Collection of a German Manufacturer and History Enthusiast, Part 3, e.g., Osnabrück: Fritz Rudolf Künker GmbH & Co., AG, 2025.
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