Livonia (15)55 ferding
This specimen was lot 72750 in Stack's Bowers Collector's Choice sale (Costa Mesa, CA, May 2023), where it sold for $528. The catalog description[1] noted, "LIVONIA. Ferding, "55" (1555). Tartu (as Dorpat) Mint. Hermann II Wesel. NGC MS-65+. A beautiful Gem example of the type, this specimen is rich with a vibrant luster and shows a comprehensive strike and no signs of handling. An impressive piece for any specialist in coins Medieval of Eastern Europe." This specimen was offered again as lot 32689 in Heritage Sale 3115 (Chicago, May 2024), where it sold for $432. The catalog description[2] noted, "Livonia: Livonian Order. Hermann II Wesel Ferding 1555 MS65+ NGC, Dorpat mint. Type 1 reverse shield (sword on right, key on left). The only Mint State example known to NGC, and an astounding Gem to boot, with strong central devices and only the slightest softness to the legends." this style known for 1554, other issues feature quartered arms. Heinrich von Galen (1551-57) was the third to last commander of the Livonian Order, an offshoot of the Teutonic Knights. Like the Teutonic Knights, the Livonian Knights conquered extensive territories in the Baltic States in the Middle Ages and spent the ensuing centuries defending them from Swedes, Poles, Russians and Danes. The last commander converted to Lutheranism in 1561 and seized the remaining lands as a duchy for himself and his heirs. Dorpat was conquered by Ivan the Terrible in 1558 but ceded to Poland in 1582. The Swedes arrived in 1601 and attacked the city several times but did not take the place until 1625.
One mark was worth four ferdings or 36 schillings. The first ferdings were a joint issue of the Archbishop of Riga Jasper Linde (1509–1524) and Master of the Livonian Order Wolter von Plettenberg (1494–1535). Ferdings were struck from silver of .930 fineness in Riga, Tallinn and Tartu. In 1525, the ferding was equated to 10 schillings and in 1551–1557, to 14 schillings. In 1557, ferdings were being struck from silver of .578 fineness.
The SCWC mentions ferdings from Reval/Tallinn (KM MB43, struck 1553-57) and Riga (KM MB51, struck 1556, KM MB58, struck 1558, and KM MB60, struck 1560) but not from this mint.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 2.46 g, silver, 0.578 fine.
Catalog reference: Neumann-407, Haljak II-666, Fedorov-66.
- Nicol, N. Douglas, Cuhaj, George S., and Thomas Michael, Standard Catalog of German Coins, 1501-Present, 3rd ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2011.
- [1]Orsini, Matt, Kyle Ponterio and Jeremy Bostwick, May 2023 World Collectors Choice Online Auction, Featuring the Richard Elliott Collection of Hooknecks, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers Galleries, Inc., 2023.
- [2]Cristiano Bierrenbach, Warren Tucker and Sam Spiegel, 2024 May 8 - 10 CSNS World Coins Platinum Session and Signature® Auction #3115, featuring the Ezen Collection, Dallas, TX: Heritage Auction Galleries, 2024.
Link to:
- Riga 1520 ferding
- Livonia (15)56 ferding, Wenden mint
- Livonia (15)56 1/2 mark
- Livonia (15)60 ferding, Reval mint
- Coins and currency dated 1555