Magdeburg (15)96-BM thaler Dav-9444
This specimen was lot 31003 in Heritage sale 3106 (New York, January 2023), where it sold for $5,160. The catalog description[1] noted, "German States: Magdeburg. Joachim Friedrich von Brandenburg Taler 1596-BM MS65+★ NGC, Halle mint. Of unimaginable quality for this type almost exclusively witnessed in well-circulated conditions, here at the very peak of the certified population. While the composition is a bit crude as is expected of Talers of this vintage, its preservation vastly outweighs this, appearing as if it had just left the presses. Abundant mint flash bathes every inch of the surfaces, illuminating a complete lack of distracting marks. Originality seemingly knows no bounds within the present specimen, which endures decorated in a pervasive array of cabinet tones and confirming NGC's assertion of their coveted "star" designation. From the Cape Coral Collection, Part II." Davenport lists this type of 1588-98 as the most common thaler issued by the archbishop in the sixteenth century. A double thaler (Dav-9443) exists. By the second half of the sixteenth century, the archbishopric of Magdeburg was completely converted to Lutheranism yet the ecclesiastical state was not abolished. Instead, it became a puppet state of the elector of Brandenburg, who either appointed himself or one of his close relatives archbishop (1513-98, 1608-31). Brandenburg annexed it outright in 1680.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: silver.
Catalog reference: KM MB122, Dav-9444.
- Nicol, N. Douglas, Cuhaj, George S., and Thomas Michael, Standard Catalog of German Coins, 1501-Present, 3rd ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2011.
- Davenport, John S., German Talers, 1500-1600, Frankfurt am Main, Numismatischer Verlag P. N. Schulten, 1979.
- [1]Cristiano Bierrenbach, Warren Tucker and Sam Spiegel, 2023 January 9 NYINC World & Ancient Coins Platinum Session and Signature® Auction - New York #3105, Dallas, TX: Heritage Auction Galleries, 2022.
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